The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-16

contest is to be made. either upon the as
sumed possibilities of frauds or technical
grounds, we are ready for it. and have no
fears for the result.
Incorporate Work.
Herbert Spencer was given a banquet in
New York last week, on the occasion OF his
return from tour of the United States to
Europe. There were in attendance to do
him honor a number OF the more promi-
nent scholars, scientists, statesmen and
literati of this country. In his parting re-
marks, he gave expression to some very phil
osophical observations upon our institutions,
and the habits of our people, in which was
prominent the conclusion that the Ameri-
cans are Incorporate workers. he deplored
this as injustice to present and future gen.
crations. and urged liberal relaxation from
the strain of business and the press OF en-
terprise. He did not seem to understand
that the conditions Of our people are differ
ent from those Of England. We are all
trained to work from necessity. Very few
inherit fortunes, but have TO carve them
out, and to be successful in life, persistent
effort has to be employed from youth to
middle age, and sometimes into the sere
leaf. In England wealth is retained in the
hands of the few and transmitted from
generation to generation. and OF this cir
cumscribed class very few are compelled to
labor and toll for competency. The great
mass there are the slaves to manual labor.
at least, while the few may so adjust their
hours of study and recreation as to pre-
serve health of mind and body and prolcng
life. But in this country that it is not the
case. The vigor and prime Of manhood
know no rest. if success is the goal to be
reached. Necessity compels incessant Ia
Dor. Where all are ambitious and the way
open for the qualification Of the aspirations,
competition and emulation become sharp
and application the agency which carries
them forward. Incorporate work is the
result, bat the achievements are some COM
pensatiop, for it is pore honorable to short
en- life in,useful endeayor, than to prolongit
in idleness and ease. Our Incorporate work
has brought its triumphs in marvellous
achievements in science, in mechanics, in
commerce, in craftsmanship, and mani
tested in the wonderful growth of our coun-
try, its diversified industries, its growing
wealth, its expanding power. and advan-
cling civilization. The extension OF hnman
life beyond the per iod Of practical useful
ness, is not consistent with the genius. OF
our institutions or the mission Of the nation.
Willing millions Of tomorrow await To
take the places of the. workers Of to-day.
and as each generation assumes its place in
the march Of events, It becomes more thor
oughly equipped than its predecessor for
the enlarged field Of activity and the null
tiplied duties imposed, The glory and
greatness of the American Republic is the
fru it of incorporate work. 1t stands out
grand monument to the impatient and
impulsive endeavors of the American peo-
pie who live and labor to a purpose while
they do live, and when their energies flag
others are ready to step forward and take
up the Incorporate work, and contribute to
the wonderful national destiny that lies
hidden in the womb of the future. The in
temperate worker achieves more and lives
more in score of years, than the ease Ia
ker does in twoscore, and if his mission
should end in the meridian of life, he can
point to benefits to mankind and results
reaching into the future as the rewards OF
his endeavors. Multiplied years Of pleas
urable ease, contributing to the sensual and
materialistic, are far less to be courted than
the incessant effort to reach forward to
some new phase of life. some new trophy
which others have not captured, although
it may shorten the span OF life. 1t is law
OF our being to work. From the cradle
there rises up an ever-feeing something
which we pursue to the grave without
graspng. vet ach ieving all the weary days
of the put sniT, and it is this Law that starts
in motion and stirs to activity the moral
and intellectual being of the American
people. Incorporate work and not pleas
urable ease, 10 ap essential element il the
American character, and America would not
be what it is, and what MIR. Spencer SO much
admires, in its wonderful development, were
it not for its Incorporate workers who al
low nothing to rest.