The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-21
EMPLOYMENT. NOT WORK -

a young gentleman Of our acquaint-
ance, who has been idle for some time.
recently said, when We informed him
where he might get a job OF work, that
he did mot want work, but employ
ment." The remark was made 10 g
humorous style, and yet it conveyed in
a measure the idea Of a majority Of the
young men Of cities. There is con-
stantly growing aversion TO manual la
Dor among city-bred youths. There is
altogether too much Of the idea that the
world owes them living whether they
can earn it or not. They desire light
positions, such as clerks or statesmen, or
any style Of employment that will yield
a living. or course, clerks are neces-
sary, aud We do not wish to be under
stood as speaking lightly of the services
Of those who fiji such positions; but, it
being impossible for all to fill such pO-
sitions, those who are so fortunate as
not to obtain clerksbips should betake
themselves to some trade that requires
a little more use Of muscle. Those who
work at any kind Of manual labor in
free air that requires the least exercise
Of the mind aud il is hard to
find any calling that does not appeal
more or less to the intellectual faculties
enjoy better health and have sounder
minds and are firmer in their convic-
tious than those who allow their physi-
cal and mental faculties to warp in the
ease Of counting houses and shops.
Young ladies are scarcely less free
than young men from these ideas. The
average girl, instead Of fitting herself
for independence in life, is too much
given to castle-building-thiukiug Of
the prospect Of obtaining for husband
some gentleman with sufficient means
10 enable her to spend her life in lndo-
lence. IN a majority Of cases, the girls
who learn trades do not DO so with the
idea Of using them through life, but
merely as a means for earning q living
until marriages place them beyond the
necessity Of earning their own way in
the world. The fact that they do not
expect to follow their calling through
life is the reason, taken in connection
with their lack Of political power, that
they allow their prices for work Of vsri-
GUS kinds to dwindle to beggarly pitt
tances. This condition is due to the
9. L. IN. l..
been placed by men. They are led to
believe that with marriage the necessity
for labor ceases. In a small percentage
Of cases it does; but in a majority they
find that more is expected aud more re-
quired Of them than before. When
they are forced 10 return to their trade
for livelihood, they find that constant
cutting down and undermining prices
has reduced their wages TO such a stand
ard that a precarious living is all that
can be expected. When they are free
before the law, they can establish a con-
dition Of things that will enable them
to get better pay for their services. We
can depend on their native industry to
prevent their falling into the lazy hab-
its that disgrace portion Of our young
men.
The young men who are constantly
looking for situations, and praying that
they will not get them, should remem-
Der that there is plenty Of good Govern
ment land awaiting occupancy, and that
by the exercise Of industry they can in
a few years become independent aud re-
sponsible citizens. We need only cite
the case Of an elderly gentleman who, a
few years ago, obtained a piece Of land a
short distance from Portland, aud, bv
industrious aud economical habits, has
made himself independent, to show the
proud youngsters who abound on our
streets what a little perseverance and
industry can do. Follow his example.
and there will be no longer heard the
cry Of hard times.