The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-29
Legrn 10 Labor,

,All over the South, from every
nook and corner, comes the unceas.
ing and Unsuitable demand for more
labor. This Is particularly the case
IN Louisiana. Here are thousands
and tens OF thousands OF acres OF the
richest and most productive lands
chat Gods fair sun eytr kissed with
its golden and reviviSying rays, grow
ing up in brambles and briars, or
covered with moss.clad forest, mon
archs, beneath whose giant forms
grow in rich luxurianc", inierlacing
vines aud dense underground. Prob
ably no more fertile soil blessps any
section Of this broad country than
this State affords. Yet in view Of
these facts there are hundreds, per.
hays thousands OF healthy, able
bodied young men in every town,
village and city in the State. who
idle away the golden moments of
youth and manhood in earning a pre-
cariOus existence and subsistence at
small salaries as Clerks, or some
trans'en { employment, which bare.
ly feeds and clothes them, in order to
avoid any occupation which calls for
manual labor.
This class have false conceptions
as to the ennobling character OF dai.
ly physical toll. They imagine, with
feelings OF a pride which is decep.
tive and rotten to its very core.
that the horny hand OF toll is a re.
proach and a disgrace. Little do
they understand the true dignity Of
labor. and that it is the honored
badge Of a vigorous manhood. They
should remember the sentiment OF
the great American poet, Longfel-
low, In his Psalm Of Life:
''Let us then he up and doing
With heart for every fate,
Still achieving. still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to watt"
Earnest, Jealous toll has in time
its own reward. This has been ex-
emplitied by the innumerable exam
pies furnished Of men, who went
forth from amid the wreck OF their
fortunes and the calamities OF war,
to carve out anew name and fame
for themselves. The result is that
the great mass Of these young men
have acquired comfortable homes
and are surrounded by blessings and
enjoyments which make their lives
full Of quiet and peace. They were
not ashamed nor afraid to take hold
OF the realities which environed them
and did not hesitate to enter the are,
ma in life's serious battle. They have
verified the poets thoughts:
elves of great men all remind us.
We may make our own sublime.
Aud by striving leave behind us,
Footprints in the sands of time.
Footprints that perhaps another.
Sailing DER Lies troubled main,
A toriorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing may take heart again"
1t is not necessary for the idlers
and drones Of society to follow Hor
ace Greeley's advice Of old, "Youne
man. go West" There Is plenty O
work to be performed here at thei
own thresholds. There is a broat
area ready for the immediate displa,
Of activity, energy and determine,
effort. They should at once asser
their manhood, cease being drone
in the great hive Of humanity; benz
every muscle and thought to the at
tainment Of positions Of honor, trus
and independence. Young man, be
come seli.sustaining, seli.reliant, an,
like the eagle, whose glance bids de
fiance to the suns splendrous rays
mount ever upward.
Learn to labor. Find somethin,
to do, and do it with your might
Your native Louisiana needs you
aid, strength and earnest efforts |,
her behalf, and summons you from
your inertness and love Of ease. Hee,
the call and he nm and doinu