The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-26
Who are Poor?

The question as to who are poor may be an
swered in various ways Certainly those are poor
who are destitute of the ordinary means of life,
and are not physically able to earn them.
From whatever cause this inability has been
brought about, still the poverty is absolute,
pinching, destructive ofhappiness- oflife
itself, in many cases, in our own blessed land
flowing with milk and honey, and in parts of
which corn is burnt instead of coal and wood.
But the most miserable of all poverty is that
which has strength sufficient to make living
"a good living too, and yet makes no use OF
that strength. Laziness may hold in its tolls
sufficient strength to make a respectable living
yes, even fortune, and be so poor that the
means of life are scantily obtained where food
is plenty and cheap, and work abundant and
we'll paid. For such poverty as this we know
no remedy but starvation. "He that will not
work shall not eat" is according to that prince
of practical teachers, st. Paul.
As to how people become lazy, we cannot
tell in all cases; it is thought that some are
born so. and it may be the case But it is also
very certain that many soft-hearted people
cultivate laziness in their children with great
care. There are two classes of parents who do
this; one class who are really rich, and whose
riches have made them foolish; who delight in
repeating to their children that they don't have
to work like poor people; who delight raising
their girls so ignorant that they don't know
which cow gives the buttermilk; but think
that to teach them how to crush French be-
tween English jaws which never tasted the ker-
nels of their mother tongue, to punish the
piano, laugh and litter in the parlor; and
think this only is accomplishment, refinement,
education. Who raise their boys in idleness,
and in the company of idlers whom satan has
busy at work at the drunken bowl, the gam.
bling table and all other miserable vices.
"You need not work, my children, like common
people" say these vain parents. But to be un-
able to make an honest living by honest labor
is the seed of poverty, that sometimes will
spring up and grow, and mature its bitterest
fruits.
The second class are apish simpletons, who hold
the rich fools above described in great admira-
ton, and while not possessing any amount OF
wealth, and unwilingness to be industrious
and saving, can never have any. Yet if any
cannot have wealth they can at least do as well
as the monkey ape, they can initiate in their
way. They can manage to get on and keep a
child or two in idleness, in ignorance of neces,
sary labor; they can say, indeed my girl shall
not do kitchen work." Or, "Id work my fin
ger nails off before one of my girls should work
out" Such parents can also plant the unoylng
seed of poverty, wickedness and misery IN their
children-ignorance of honest labor. and hate
and contempt of honest labor to obtain an hon
est, plentiful livelihood. ,.,
We would wish that never child, for any
cause, might be compelled to leave home, "to
work OUT" especially would we pray that q
eirl might never have to do so. We would
wish ali could remain beneath the roof tree,
about the family altar, until they 60 thence to
home of their own.
They are poor who cannot work; but they
are poorest who know not how, and will not
work.