Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-03-26
plenrrY orMAnUAL LABOR.

youth Of the present day, that those
who devote their time and energies to
the various manual pursuits which In
this country are 50 numerous, must OF
necessity resign certain benefits which
all intellectual and moral beings crave
as conducive to their happiness and
elevation. As so large a proportion Of
mankind are necessarily engaged in
these occupations, if it can be proved
that they are therefore deprived of
such advantages, 1t would follow that
Providence has been unequal and par
tial in the distribution of blessings.
But u thorough investigation Of the
subject will prove how erroneous is
such a theory, and how fatally mis-
taken are people who crowd into the
overlooking avenues of mercantile or
professional life, in the hope Of occu-
pying a superior social position and
enjoying greater advantages, rather
than follow some of the many mechan-
ical pursuits standing ready to well
come them, and for which nature may
have thoroughly fitted them. Physical
labor is not in itself, as some maintain,
unfavorable to mental Improvement.
Indeed, its routine is such as, in most
cases, to leave the mind and thoughts
free to pursue any desired path. Some
OF the most vigorous thinkers both OF
ancient and modern times have been
found among the mechanics, artisans
and laborers Of the world. Some OF
| those now most conspicuous in the lit
erary and political world acquired and
developed most of their mental power
while engaged in various manual occu-
pations ; while large numbers Of those
now pursuing similar %avocations pos
scss an amount of sterling sense and
practical wisdom, that belongs to none
who affect superciliously to look down
with contempt upon noble indus
try. In this class also, we not
unfrequently witness the loftiest
moral traits, and the most zeal
Gus and unwearied efforts for the I'M
proyement and happiness Of mankind.
An English shoemaker, Of the name
of John Pounds, who performed, dur
Ing nearly eighty years, as large an
amount of the humblest task work rs,
perhaps. ever fell to the lot Of man,
vet contrived to rescue from ruin hun
dreds of neglected children, and by
wisely adapting suitable means to
noble ends, won for himself u worthy
name among the phllanthropists Of the
world. He IA by no means an excep-
tional case, but a type Of many, even
among those wholive a life Of incessant
toll. In our own land, however, it Is
admitted by all that neither Providence
nor the welfare Of society demands
that any portion of the race should
live such a life. Those Of our people
who are really overworked are found
rather among those who labor with the
brain than with the hands, and the
pressure and anxiety of commercial
life bring fur more victims to ruined
constitutions aud early graves than
any excess of manual labor among our
industrial classes. The Old World has
abundantly proved the evils of unre-
hitting toll while every year of our
national existence shows more and
more conclusively that a moderate
quota of labor, aftording space for the
culture Of the higher traits of mind
and character, is the best thing to pro
duce strong and vigorous manhood
the best course to attain a healthful,
physical and mental nature; the surest
ladder by which to climb to n true and
well-balanced prosperity. If we would
continue to improve upon Il present
state, as we have upon the past, II
must be by uniting more closely than
ever, in every individual, the thinking
and the working powers. Ruskin says
at Is only by labor that thought can
be made healthy, and only by thought
that labor can be made happy" When
society conforms perfectly to the lndi,
cations Of Providence, and governs
herself by its laws, all occupations
will be considered liberal professions.
the essential work of the world will
be performed without any degrading
associations, and every man will be
honored, not according to the nature
of his calling, but in proportion to the
excellence Of his achievement.