Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-10-21
Labor Reform,

The light in which we look at this
much mooted question has nothing to do
with the political one There are plen-
ty of partisans upon either side to discuss
ii and We can safely leave the future
prosperity OF our country TO those who
are devoting their brains and breath and
energies to it.
But there is a view, and one of the ut
most importance, thatappears to be gem"
orally ignored in the more exciting con-
tests as to who shall dictate the terms of
labor; who name the hours in which it
shall be performed, and what the prices
to be paid. Upon that we propose To say
a few words, and that without treading
upon the pet cornS' of either of the
great opposing parties.
Labor was not given as anil, but rath-
er as blessing TO mankind. The idea
that it was the primal curse" is ridicu-
lousy false. Without labor, man would
have no higher aspirations than the
brute; with nothing to DO, be the most
miserable of beings; would, from the
highest civilization sink TO the most alb
ject savage. 1t is labor and the inCen-
tive to it that keeps him no, only from
being so, but steadily elevates to 4 high
er social and moral plane The bless
ings Of labor are SO manifold rs not to
need recapitulation are SO interviewer
with our every day life as to be impoSsi-
bic of separation. It was the labor of
the great Master that created the world,
and the labor of his creatures that beau
tify and make it yield food and comforts,
Without the work Of human hands, it
would soon become desert waste; rank
and noisome weeds usurp every field, and
starvation take the place of plenty.
Labor is among the best gifts TO our
race. We know who it is that gives
temptation and finds work for idle hands 4,
what is the natural result of Sloth, and
the direction in which its footsteps tend,
in this world, to say nothing of that 9TH
er and better one dimly Swallowed from
the thither shore. And every one, if he
fultills his high destiny, must do some
thing: for each was ordained some oc-
cupatiOI. If ne neg ectaIt he buries the
talents, and there can be 10 increase.
Withou; work man is the lamp of the
foolish virgins, wanting the illuminat-
ing oil; his journey is darkness; at his
late arrival lie finds the doors locked
against him.
These truths are selfeyident. They
are no dreamer's theory or insane phi
losopher's fancy. They are carried upon
the eternal rocks 10y the tempest, stamped
upon the prairie by the broad palm of
the Almighty. and written in foam upOn
the streams. They have to labor and to
produce; for the earth there is growth
and water is chained to the wheel.
Every material alone labors in a greater
or less degree. There is no one thing,
from the most minute insect to the
mighty monsters of the woods that has
not something to do, if only to struggle
for the means of existence. The worm
works in the earth; the fish IN the
water; the cattle upon the thousand
hills We look abroad, and 10 labor Is
found to be the lot Of all, and there is no
escape from the decree.
Labor, then, should be no spasmodic
movement, but the business of life. 1t
should be regular. systematic; should be
governed by fixed laws. And this is the
point we would urge is the one to
which the mass of mankind give little
heed. The aim appears 10 be TO avoid
not 10 be lp and doing. The returning
night telleth of the shortness of the day.
and should give warning of how swiftly
the final one for us should come. what
soever your hand findeth to do, that
do with all your might" is a maxim
that should never be forgotten. There
is enough work for all, and ut best much
must be left unacComplishpd Better see
how great can be the effort, not how
little we can do; better to work all the
hours than be content with a few (;
better to make them all pay than trtter
one away in idleness.
This is the true reform" that labor
needeth, anG when man acts up to 1t he
will grow III independence, happiness
and wealth. This is the reform in
which there is no chance Of failure;
no loss; no blowing about by any politi-
cal breath of favor; the reform that
shall last until the end. Be We wise in
time.
I 1 1.1, ps