The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-05-06

r bless others. We would remembe
with gratitude the poor, weary girl
8 that throng our cities, with pale cheek
S and faded lips, who are stitching thei
: iiyes away aud wasting its oil faste
t even than the oil of their fading lamps
, to support those whom they loye
f those whose tired hands are sewing
, their own shrouds whilst they max,
D the garments that cover the limbs o.
/ the rich, and, yea, even weave the
threads of their existence into the del.
icate flowers that are worn as adorn-
, ments by fair ladies. Let us ask, has
earth richer examples of self-sacrifice
Physical labor is the granite rock
upon which all moral and intellectual
labor is founded. Go follow the illu-
minated path of civilization. and at
every stepyou will find physical labor
has been the advance column in this
glory-crowned march OF the ages.
The eloquence of the Roman Senate
has been fruitful theme for orators
and Historians, but would haye these
! note that the Brown Hands who ma
cadamized the great thoroughfare of
the Empire, were of quite as much
practical benefit to her growth and
prosperity, Itls questionable whether
Priest and Magi did as much for the
civilization Of ancient Egypt as did
the Brown Hands, who made the val
ley of the Nile so fruitful. and reared
to their memory the Pyramids and OBJ
elisks.
Draper says, the building of single
canal practically changed the civiliza-
tion of, modern Europe. Has orator
or philosopher done more? Why
should we remember with gratitude
the preacher and hush into cold for
getfulness the busy hands who reared
the church. Take survey of our own
national greatness, and we as Ameri-
cans are proud to look at it, and then
let me ask wherein does our greatness
consist ? Every one must admit that
it is due to the development of the re-
sources Of the republic; to the thou
sands of miles of railroads we have
built, to the vessels we build and the
white sails we unfurl, to the minerals
we bring from the earth and the vast
fields we have broken, to the great
graneries we fill and the busy and
the busy and mighty industries we
foster. Whence do they Gomez How
are they produced They come by
the hard hand of honest toll. They
come by the tireless wheel of busy in
dustry. They come by the effort of
Brown Hands, vino build our monu-
ments of greatness day after dsy, with
scarce recognition from the souless
aristocrat who sits in his palace in
idleness and adds nothing to the
worlds greatness.
Brow Hands! see them now in
life,s morning. They are wrestling
with the giants of physical force all
around them; but wealth refuses to
smile while they patiently toll. 1 see
them again in life's noon, go out from
an humble cottage, as the sun throws
his first smile in the morning, to toll
in the field and in the bitches. 1 see
them return. again in the gathering
twilight. The step is heavy, the mus
cles are relaxed. The rich man passes
the tired footman,i in his carriage,
mi lii
AS the night gathers. he reaches again
the humble cottage. The world is not
all SO cold, for there is love and heaven
here. His little children gather around
him and he forgets the weary pain
which gDaws like wolf at his yitals.
Morning comes again and with it the
same weary march, the, same ebbing
away of his life's force. The days are
now lost in years, and still he repeats
his daily toll. but his step grows slow
er; his raven hair is white as hoary
winters frost his shoulders are bowed
and his sluggish heart beats slower.
1t is Saturday night and he comes from
his last journey. The hot sun with it's
simeon breath has sent deaths barbed
arrow to his heart. He can neither eat
or sleep again. He takes his couch
and soon life's fitful dream is over.
He has at last found rest where
kings and beggars are equal. The
Brown Hands, once SO strong, now
tall still and cold at his side. Let us
cross them tenderly on the motionless
breast. They can now have the rest
they have vainly sought for years. 1
see the rude, coffin, and few of his
comrads bear it to the potters field.
They bury and moisten the fresh earth
with their tears. No monument shall
mark this spot; no dirge be sung but
chant his requiem, and the faithful
stars will keep their vigils over it.
What is bronze? What is marble /?
The one will fade, the other crumble.
The world says, '.'tis only the grave of
laborer," the resting place of Brown
Hands. God says, Well done, thou
good and faithful servant, enter thou
into thy rest"
! SARA FAIR.
Mantua Station Grange, 5l9.
| A GREAT RIVER IN ALASKA.
! Alaskan explorers report one of the
largest rivers in the world, the Yukon,
as navigable for steamers two thous