Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-04-22
The dignity orLabor.

This phrase has fallen somewhat into
disrepute from the use that has been
made of 1t by the demagogues for their
own selfish purposes, but the honest
conscience of mankind has a. all times
recognized its truth. In the early
days of Rome, when the wealth and
Well-being of the State was founded
upon labor, sld before an aristccracy
obtained power, and, following the
natural bend of all aristocracies. cor
rupted the State by making its chief
dependence rest upon war and plunder,
instead of upon Industry, the dignity
of labor was recognized in her insti.
tutions.
In the middle ages. when the church
was the leader in industry as in learn.
ing, the dignity of labor was piously
expressed in the motto: "To labor /:
TO pray"
During the centuries of transition,
however, through which our civilizat ton
has been passing. and in which the
governments of Europe have been the
oppressors instead of the servants OF
the people, labor has been so ground
down by taxes, the income from which
went to support the extravaganza OF
TIE rulers, that it has become despised
The strongest evidence of this Is found
IN our language. We speak of the
working classes" the ''laboring class
es," as though it was right and natural
that there should be classes which did
not labor, did not work; as though in
dustry was not as natural to man as to
all created beings; as though it was not
the foundation and necessary basis of
all advance in culture and refinement.
So far has this gone, that though
modern science has shown that motion
Is the law of development of all mani
mate as well as organic matter in the
universe, we find doctrine generally
preached to-day, which would shut
man out of this universal law. and by
making him naturally idle, maintain
that he IS an exception to the rule
which we ind rms through everything
else IN the earth, the sea, the air, the
heavens.
Whlle this IS so, how can we expeci
anything but corruption in our politics
injustice In our legislation. friyolity in
our literature, falseiood in our press
fraud and adulteration in commerce
the vulgarity and extraYagance of fash
ion in society, and selfshness prevail
ing in all the relations of men. An idl,
brain IS the devils workshop.
1t remains, then, for the labor of thil
country, by dignifying itself. to make
the dignity of labor no longer a mock
cry. By combining TO improve their
condition, the producers of this coun,
try can obtain the possession of the
wealth they produce.
But this will not be enough. That
wealth must not be used as wealth Is
now used by those who get it in every
other way than by honest labor; it
must be expended, not in the foolish
display, the empty vanity and the
wicked extravaganza of the idle, bui
as men, conscious of the dignity and
respectability of their position would
wish to spend it. By being industrious.
by using the mental and physical pow.
ers which nature has given US, and
only thus, we are carrying out the law
OF our being. And by .sing the wealth
thus gained by industry, in securing
and ditfusing to the entire race of man.
kind the means of happiness, and the
cultivation of all their mental and
spiritual powers, we are equally carry
ing out the destiny of the race upon
this planet.
The task is vast, but the means are
adequate. It viii not be fully accom-.
plished until it is impossible that any
child should grow to manhood without
enjoying the means of such a physical
ana mental educationas as shall deyelope
every faculty he possesses. Let labor
then comprehend and engage in this
task, and the dignity of its aims will
extort respect and admiration from
even the silliest of those whose pride
now IS in being idle, and the dignity
of labor viii again become the fo1nds,
tion of all dignity.