The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1873-05-23
For Tie Marietta Journal.
TEE DIGNITY OF. LABOR.

not be disregarded. II is passingly
strange, and a great pity, that such
an erroneous idea should have been
entertained, that labor is, in the
least dishenarable to any human be
ing, whatever may be their station.
The very mechanism of our frame,
like, the finely wrought cogs. Of
delicate machine, must be constant
ly used, or they rust, and thereby
suspend the running of the machine
In view of this law, God, the great
Architect, hath ordained that the
health of body and mind is secured
by exercise. And he that is regard
less Of this Heaven appointed injunc-
ton, must sooner or later, suffer its
bitter penalties. The concurrence
of fortuitous circumstances may cons
spire to render null the pecuniary
necessity to favored few, but the
enjoyment of that richest boon to hu
mainly, health, does not allow even
the opulent, that may not need the
daily earnings, to neglect healthful
exercise If mind and body.
The ease-loviug amillionaire may
leisurely while-away the dull hours
of monotonous life, at cards or dice,
to kill time !; or recline himself at
ease upon a gilded sofa, but, alas,
nature, ever watchful of her violated
laws, will, ere long, visit the penalty
upon the needless violator An ach
ing head, dropsied chest, panied
stomach, constipation and piles, govt,
gravel, or some other dire malady
will follow as the legitimate seqaent
of this state ofinertia. For, as the
body was created for activity, it
must be kept in motion. Yet, not
withstanding these plain facts, and
the very positive injunction in sacred
Law, there are some Of the would be
aristocracy Of the 18th century, that
would impress the young mind with
the very vague idea, that labor is
beneath the dignity of the gentle
man or lady. This grave error
never originated in sound mind,
but is the mary dreamings Of disor-
dered brains, in their wild hallucina-
tions. But as it has the prestige Of
few men Of property, it is calcu.
lated to do much injury to the young.
1t has already stamped its chimeri-
cal phantoms upon the shallow brains.
of few flirting gifts and vain cox
combs in our own favored land.
Every thinking man ought to dis
courage the spread of SO baneful an
error. 1t has taken such hold upon
some Of the younHand feeble minds
Of the fairer sex, That some Of them
are alarmed to meet the dusty farm
err; the sooty blacksmith or the
dirty shoemaker. They carefully
shun these noble sons Of toll, and
take to the clean rufles and tender
hands Of the men Of leisure. Ali !
young ladies, do not runaway at
sight of the dirty shoemaker, be-
cause, perchance, he may smell of
leather; better that than TO smell Of
cologne outside, and the breath Of
whisky. Do not take spasms at
sight Of the dust-covered farmer, or
swoon away at sight ofthe muddy
bricklayer, or the greasy painter, for
these are the producers and manu-
facturers. Do not let the sweat
stained garments Of these hardy sons
Of toll turn your stomachs !; they are
men that keep the busy wheels Of
commerce plying from mart to mart
they are men that fill our Golfers
with the shining coin from other
lands. Yea, they are the grand
producers and manufacturers Of all
our eonveniences and comforts. -
And without them, we would be ut
terly destitute Of food and apparel.
Those fancy handles 1.-The glaEy]
drones in the busy hive Of life, that
you so much admire, arc non-pro-
ducers they make nothing to eat or
to wear, hence they are worthless TO
you or the world at large. They |
may look very tender and nice; and
present quite captivating appear
ance to the thoughtless, in their fine
cloth and boots. Their tidy hands,
covered with black-kid, twirliug a
gold headed cane, may feel very
soft and warm, but such hands can
not earn bread. Then ye fair, take
the working man, whether he be the
dusty farmer, the sooty blacksmith,
the dirty shoe maker the greasy
painter. the muddy brick-mason, or
Of whatever handicraft he may be,
SO be will work. These are the
men to lead you to fortune and fame,
but that tender handed dandy will
lead you to poverty and shame. IN
Toll, persevering toll, alone can
bring down the bounties Of a kind
providence within our grasp. Lis
ten not to the voice Of the siren WOO
er, bat listen to the voice OF reason,
which tells you that the brawny
arm, nerved by the stern will, brings
the sure rewards of toil--peace and
plenty. /. J. NJ. Goss.