New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-12
LABOR OMN1A VINCIT.

shall ye reap"
LABOR OMN1A VINC1T.
An old Latin proverb teaches that labc
conquers everything. If there be cou1
try SO constituted in soil and climate as I
make this proverb easily verified in til
case Of all persons who are disposed t
flourish by labor, that country is Louis
ana; and yet, from the want of prope
direction of labor, and the disposition t
lead an agricultural life, many a stalwa1
laborer is now languishing in this city i,
AFFECT poverty. The kind OF labor that is t,
be had in the city is scarce and i'll paid a
that; and yet q large number of peopl
prefer to remain idle or the dependent
upon any employment that may presen
itself in city life rather than becom,
farmers and stock raisers. The South ha.
always prided itaelf of being strictly al
agricultural country, and when worked
by slave labor certainly made a fair show
ing in the production Of cotton. But while
doing this the South lost in many othe,
respects. The Southern States-as Slave
States-did not improve as rapidly as the
free States Of the UAbn in the elements OF
prosperity. The civilization of the South,
under the plantation system, worked by
slave labor, did not keep pace with that
OF the free States; nor did it make as
rapid progress in all that goes to make
up the material wealth of State. The
war, that put an end to slavery in the
South, changed the condition of the
people for the better, wherever they had
the foresight to see that an agricultural
life-though it might be little hard, in
the beginning with those Just entering
upon twas the surest to pay in the
end, the happiest and most Independent
OF all others if well followed. With
soil and climate that can not be excelled
for agricultural and stock-raising pur-
poses, it will not do to say there is no
work to be done. God has given man in
Louisiana rich field for labor; and the
only sure way to individual prosperity
and independence lies in the cultivation
of the soil. The great want of Louisiana.
is more tillers of the soil Her sons
want to be reared as farmers instead of
being allowed to grow up in idleness
about her towY and cities, educated to
think that it lisa disgrace to learn to cul-
tivate the soil or be Instructed in the me-
chanic arts. These callings are not con-
sidered respectable. The consequence is
that it has been no uncommon sight in
New Orleans to see our public squares
filled at all hours Of the day with boys
just verging into manhood playing base
ball. 1t is very certain their time could
be much more profitably and respecta-
bly, employed in learning to cult
vate the soil. In the evening many
of our streets make a show of idle
ness on the part Of boys, of ages ranging
from fifteen to twenty years, that does
not speak well for their future prosperity
and happiness, even supposing they are
blessed with the prospect of inheriting
fortunes. But it is known that in very
many cases half grown boys and boys
just verging on to manhood are brought
up in idleness by parents who are cid and
have to labor hard to clothe and feed sons
that should be source of help to them
instead Of an incumbrance. It would be
far better to send these boys to the coun-
Try and apprentice them to farmer than
to allow them to grow up in idleness.
Three years labor on farm or plantation
would make useful men of them. They |
could then purchase little farm and
start for themselves, and it would require
out few years of we'll directed labor in
his way to make them Independent |
md happy for life. How much better
his would be than to remain in the city
n idleness, hoping eventually to fall into
ome easy position in the Customhouse,
oostofice, City Hall or mercantile estab-
ishment, where the pay would be good
md the labor little OF nothing. These
obtained only by a few, be-
ause of their scarcity, are of very uncer-
ain tenure to the lucky ones who obtain
hem, and for that reason, and even more
ubstantial ones, ale not to be regarded
IS strictly beneficial when enjoyed. Yet
many young man prefers to tarnish his
by absolutely begging for posi-
ions OF this kind to ente ring upon the
oble employment of cultivating the soil,
n occupation that, when once entered
pom and followed with the proper deter
lination, must lead to speedy prosperity
nd independence. We are forciblv re-
minded just at this time Of this disposition
D beg tor public position by the many
publications. that are pouring into Post
laster, Parker and Surveyor Wells for
tuations in their departments. These
publications. are made with an industry
nd peEtency that if applied to labor on
farm would certainly lead to much good,
ut when exercised in efforts to obtain
ubic position only end, in the great ma
'rity of cases, in disappointment and
srious harm.
The only labor that really conquers
is the well directed labor Of
lie farm; therefore, we would have our
sople learn to cultivate the soil, and
oandon ofice-seeking as a most perni-
GUS habit; one that if not resisted leads
chronic idleness and poverty.