Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-09-15
Observations Of a Philadelphia Lawyer

observations OF Philadelphia Lawyer.
Mr.. 'E. S. belonging to that class pro-
verbal for astuteness-'P Philadelphia lawyers
who was on recent visit to this place, wrote
a long aud well written letter to the Philadel-
pim City Item, under date of Staunton, August
goth. We have room only for two extracts. His
observations seem not to have given him very
favorable opinion Of negro labor: He says
'trom labor comes wealth, but that labor
WHICH brings gold into our Golfers and wheat in
to our gamers, needs must be real and substan-
tial labor, well organized, well protected and
it must be honored labor. Such find the white
mans labor. The rising and the setting sun
mark out his hours of toll, and the brown face
and hard burnt hands attest the severity of
that toll As en- honest man cannot SO speak
of negro labor We of the North do not, may
be, we will not see, the inefliciency of the pre-
sent negro labor. You know well, Mr. Editor,
that | hail from the Republican side of the po-
litical house and issues, and this because [ can
see no safe and middle path bVt this must not
deter me from telling wholesome truths palata
bic or unpalatable to extremists. I do not see
any real value in negro labor-there is no GER.
tainty in tit is whimsical, peeYish labor-it
is labor without toilz=it is labor to provide food
which avoids hushandry, and seeks the COM
parative ease of town life. Pardon my touch
ing upon this theme-it is not political, it is in
the order of political economy. Permit me, in
ending this subject, to illustrate, by single
instance OF the many unu ef my observation -
On the way to Weyers cave saw a negro ofthe
stalwart kind engaged in breaking limestone for
turnpike repair. His was easy labor Let ME
picture the operation. He was seated on a pile
of stones chair high in his hand a small ham,
mer, with handle about twelve inches long a
little larger than tack hammer, With one
hand ne would take up a stall stone about four
inches square, and hold it TILL with SLOW, Ii ht
and measured blows, he would leisursly reduce
it into convenient size, and rest from his toll
awhile, and then in like manner resume his la
Dor. Our turnpike men would little relish such
labor, and would not agree that the laborer was
worthy of any hire. The work forcibly remind
ed me Of cracking shell banks in nv boyish
days"
We do not know th!at be Is e MUSICIAN, but
suppose from the manner 10 which he thrums
and tickles the ribs Of the Proprietor of the
Va. Hotel that he would make fine performer
with bone castanets He says:
'The Virginia Hotel, in the hands of Mr.
Sohefer, is perhaps unexcelled in that essential
,..ue W. comes SO near to goodness, clean
illness. The pure white sheets, table cloths and
other hotel linen, give EVIDENCE Of the TONE
which pervadas in all departments OF this hotel
The courteous host spares neither time, money,
nor pleasing words to give fitting welcome to
the coming guests and thus makes them 10th
to part with such q clever host. The attendance
is perfect in all respects. and while gilded
ornament costly mirrors, and FURNISHED furni-
ture may dazzle the guests OF the Revere, FIFTH
Avenue, or Continental there is with them al
that absence of real home, which this Virginia
house Affords