The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-06-18

oH
Next week, we will speak of a few
plantations west of here, and re
grct that our time is so limited tina
} we cannot visit all plantation.
throughout this section.
, (For the Cotton BoU.)
, Supremacy of Agriculturc--Thc Power
and Bearing Of Mechanics ~Deinet
by "a. l.. T."
5 Mr.. EDITOR:-There is a time fol
, everything; a time and place when cred.
r ence be given to matters Of general in
interest. | would say at this time that
| have never written a line for money
to make a display, Or to be seen in print.
My aim in writing is, | trust, of u high.
er and more exalted order than the de-
sire for money. | write now, and have
written for thirty five or more years,
for human progress, The mechanic
and fine arts, material science, agficul-
tIre, political economy, and home indus
try has been my especial aim to develv
op, and thereby l hoped to impress the
public mind with the utility Of labor,
enterprise and industry.
How far | have succeeded in bringing
these matters forward, in New Orleans,
State of Louisiana, and the South, |
leave for a generous public to decide.
These reflections, Mr.. Editor, were
broughtto my mind in reading late
papers from d tferent sections of the
South, and of this State, of the great
effort now being made to return to our
impoverished country its former pros
perity and wealth, by giving new life
and energy to the cultivation of our
soil, and a general reViving Of agricul-
tQre and domestic industry.
This is as it should be. Let our
young men everywhere in our State go
to work and speed the Plough" and
my word for it, there will soon be a vis-
ible change in the condition ofour coun-
try and people. agriculture stands SUI
preme, and worthy of the man that
wears a crown. I deem it more worthy
of a young nlan to follow the plough
than to stand behind the counter in a
dry goods shop, selling notions, tape
and ribbon, etc. This, in my humble
! opinion, is a business that belongs ex~
clusiyely to women, and should never
be thought of by men. There are thou
these places. Men, especially now, can
be better employed in the pursuit of ag-
riculture and the mechanic arts. In all
parts of Europe, dry goods and fancy
shops are entirely attended by women,
and it would be considered almost be.
low the dignity Of a man to be seen be.
hind a store counter, when they know
that they can be better, more CONSTANT
ly and more ~prontabIy employed. In
Europe, men are employed in but one
capacity in dry goods establishments,
and that is in wholesale houses, or as
travelling agents. But enough of this
for the present; the subject, however, is
well worthy being recalled in some fu-
ture day.
"WolkiDgmen, (mechanics) whatever the
task.
To cause the stone to break tho rod,
They wear upon their honest brow
The royal stamp of God"
We have in communities three dis
tinct classes Of men, viz: Mechanics, ag-
riculturists, and merchants. Each have
their influence, bearings and considera-
ton in society. l will class the me-
chanic as number one in the progress of
usefulness. / will ~endeavor to prove
that he is. and ought to be the first man
in consideration. But let us see first
what constitutes the mechanic. 1t is
the man whose occupation it is to con-
struet, to make, to form, to fabrioate, to
adapt, to build, who originates machin-
cry, invents objects of utility and USE
f%ulness, pertaining to the art of making
goods, wares, instruments, houses,
roads, ships, and all other things that
appertain to manual labor; as it is we'll
said that manual labor is the queen of
nations"
/ will now introduce a few of the i'm
mortal names who were master meehan-
ics, that have proved not only useful to
but have been renowned
o the world: Franklin, Watts, Albright,
Whitney, Fulton, Poe, and q host of
,thers too numerous to mention. These ,
men did not belong to any country; the
world claims them as benefactors to I
mankind. Their genious, skill, and un- /
iring industry. entitled them to all the
Ionor and. applause they have received +
the world at large, their deeds and .
ctions will forever live in the hearts of 9
people. S
Let every thinking mind stretch his g
yes around and reflect with me for a a
and then ask the important
uPstiOn, Who is it that made the
reat wealth Of the No nth Who is it
lat made the improve ments and riches
T the West Who is it, as it were, y
reated the South The mechanic II
Tho is it that has bBilt up the queen B
.ty of the West-Cineinnati-aud st. -
and Chicago, and New Orleans. :"
nd Memphis, etc. Who is it that OF
ade, constructed and completed the D
n thousands of miles Of Railroad, the
cam engine, rolling materials, carr ~
and all equipments! Whe is 1t =
at planned and made our floating pal "
now carrying millions of inhabit- tn
.ts and products of the world yearly, wi
er cur fathers of rivers Who is il a.
at made our bridges, canals, tunnels,
onuments, gas-light works, draining sa
schines. etc.. etc., bat the industri- vii
5, the skillfal, the enterprising me. av
anic? -
To whom ore we indebted for our
mfortable wearing apparel. our fire
h, our well built and furnished houses, alb,
d even the bread we eat, las ( class bal
baker as q ~meohanic) 10 fact, all and The
cry comfort that the human family
Joys we w to the mechanic. We as
mot deny but that the mechanic is "g'
man, and therefore be ought 10 be the
ssed as the first n in consideration.