National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-08-05
The Value OF Physical Labor.

1t i, an idea too prevalent among the
youth of the present day that those who
devote their time and energies to the
various manual pursuits which IN tins
country are so numerous, must of
necessity resign certain benefits which all
intellectual and moral beings crave as
conducive to their happiness and eleva.
ton As so large proportion of mankind
are perforce engaged III these occupations,
it would follow, if il can be proved that
they are therefore deprived of such adj
vantages. that Providence has been
unequal and partial in the distribution of
! blessings But a thorough investigation
| OF the subject will prove how erroneous
| is such theory, and how fatally mistaken
are people who crowd into the overflow
ing avenues of mercantile on professional
life in the hope Of occupying superior
social position and enjoying e1eater
advantages, rather than follow some OF
the many mechanical pursuits standing
ready to welcome them, and Tor which
nature may have thoroughly fitted them
Physical labor is not iii itself, as some
maintain. mfavorublc to mental mn
provement Indeed, its routine Is such
AS in most cases, to leave the mind md
thoughts free to pursue any desired pat
Some of the most vigorous thlnk'
both of ancient and modern times, ittN'
been found among the mechanics, N'
izens, and labOrerS of the world.
of those now most conspicuous !. {
literary and political world acquil ld
developed most Of their mental pc Nei
while engaged in various manual occupa
: tions while large numbers OF men now
pursuing simulm Nocations possess Al
+, amount of sterling sense and pracuca
Il wisdom that belongs to none who alice
% superciliously to look down with con
tempt upon actual bodily industry
- In this class. also, we not untrequentl'
- witness the loftiest moral traits, amt TN
=. most Jealous and mwearicd efforts 10
" the Improvement and happiness OF man
kind. \ shoemaker of the name oi JON
L. Pounds. who performed during nearl
+ eighty wears ns large an amount OF IN
le humLlcst taslwork rs perhaps ever fe
81 to the lot of man, vet coutrVcd to rescu
ut from ruin hundreds of neglected children
and. hv wisely adapting suitable means
noble ends, won for himself worth
, name among the philanthropists OF u
'" world. His is by no means an exceptions
u case, but IA type of many even anon
lS those who live a life of d,ceSsd" toll
"a America. however, it is admitted 10y al
III thnt neither Providence nor the wclia
ne of society demands that any portion
y" the rnce should live such II life. Tho
who are really oycrworkcd are loul
nd rather among such as labor with Il
brain than with the hands, and the pre-
nd surc and anxiety OF commercial liic bl1i
itv far more victims to ruined cOnstitutio
cir and early graves, than excess oi MANI
labor among the industrial classes, !
cy Old World has abundpntly proved I
evils of too unrcmittinS toll whlle eve
year of national cNistancc III the Ne
all shows moro AMI more conclusiyely tina
moderate quota of labor, ailording til
mt for thc culture of the higher traits
gh mind and character, il the best thing
produce strong and vigorous manhoo
the best couuse 10 attain II nntl
mentally and physically hcalthful
ted surcst ladder by which to climb to n u
ron and well Unbalanced prosperity
ON IT We would cndcnvor IN England
improve upon our present state, IT III
ba by uniting more closely than ever,
every individual, tie Hi"kj"g and
Of worijnq powers. Ruskin says =" i
only by labor that thought cnn be M
YOU healthy, and only thought that labor I
the he made happy" When society g
forms perfectly to the indications of !
nth vidence, and governs herself by lts 10
all occupations will be considered lib'
professions the essential work oi
in world will be performed without
live degrading associations, and every y
will he honorcd not according 10
nature OF his calling, ut in proportio
he the excellence Of his achievement n
led monggr, (I.mdo", EngtWd)