Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-11-18
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Among the Boys

delivered recently at one Of our most noted
colleges. The orator pictured. in glowing
terms, the opportunities of American
youth. He did not forget TO assure his
I hearers that America Is 1.-THE land CT the
/ free and the home Of the brave" He de-
scribed the country. with its boundless
plains. It's majestic mountains. its wonder
ful mines. mills and factories: its long
rivers, hinge forests. and large lakes No
king is here, he argued, to rule over the
1 people. bat every man NAV consider him
self sovereign in his own right ''Who
Knows he said. .'but some Of the young
nen now In this room may yet be Presi-
dent2 The Office is certainly within reach
If they will bat aim high and strive hard
/ enough to secure it." Some Of them. he
thought. would. without doubt, be elected
10 Congress as representatives. or chosen
10 serve their country in the halls OF the
United States Senate. The Office Of Gov
ernOr was certainly no: too high station
to aim for.
"Afm high" he said. Fire at the
American eagle direct. and if You den I
hit his body. you will be apt 10 bring down
a tail feather If any boy should be so
unfortunate a. to miss the Presidency then
Congress or the State Legislature ~ould
certainly be within the range of his gun.
Shoot tor the highest Office. and bag the
J best game that falls from the shot. When
| he had finished. he was cheered heartily.
and the Grafton was declared a. admirable
achievement.
1 The next young man came before the
assemblage with some diffidenee. He man
/ ifested signs Of fear that he would not be
able 10 acquit himself as well as his col
league. His face showed that he possessed
moral courage, and, though not so
| brilliant in appearance a. the last ora
| tor. he soon convinced his hear
ers that he had an abundance of sound
sense.
"Aim not too high. young men," he
commenced "but make every shot count
~ good purpose. Remember that you
are fitting yourselves tor the duties of life
You should aim to cultivate the plain,
substantial occupations. Some OF you
may be so unfortunate as to bear the trials,
vexations, and disappOintments of political
and professional life. But many of you
will. nope. enjoy the health and ind pend
ence Of carpenters, blacksmiths, masons
| and other skilled laborers. These are
our truly independent citizens. They
are not the kind who curry tavors, or seek
/ influence.
| They stand on their own feet, and with
| their own hands earn the respect which
! from this time on. must. in America, be
conceded to all useful industries" D."
/ OF all persons with wnom we deal,
none are 50 strong. self contained and
/ independent az skilled laborers, They
have things pretty much their own way
With some exceptions. our doctors and
lawyers are hard pushed. 1t is often
distressing to them to be called upon to
pay rent aud grocery bills. and then sit
down and try 10 pick out the patrons
from whom they can urge payment with
out fear of losing business There is
| frequently more or less humiliation in be-
! ing obliged to maintain style Of living
which one cannot afford And this humil-
iaiion comes oftener TO the man Of profes-
| sion than to the skilled workman.
In large and widely known institution
devoted to teaching, among other things,
the practical part of an industrial educa-
ton. may be found some inspiring exam
pies. a young man dressed in rough
blacksmith's clothing was recently
seen working at forge. HE, y
said he superintendent, is the son OF
a wealthy Philadelphan. The young
man had come to train himself in the
practical details of the iron industry. He
was soon to take charge of an immense
iron business. Near by him, and blowing
the bellows, was pointed out the son of a
millionaire, who came inspired by simi-
lar ambition. A wealthy lady. a widow,
visiting the institute, said she had two
sons about to graduate from university,
and at the beginning of the next term they
would commence course of practical in
struction in the mechanic arts. She will, as
soon as the sons have acquired knowledge
OF the trades they expect to take up, de-
vote a good share of her fortune in a
mechanical enterprise for their benefit.
The advancement of thought in the di-
rection of practical education augurs well
for the future or the country More skilled
mechanics and fewer professional men
and politicians Is what the country is sad
lv in need of With the figures showing
the immense numbers seeking a livelihood
as lawyers, doctors, and ministers, is il
not strange that young men cannot see
that the plain path to usefulness and sue
cess is in the pursuit of some practica
mechanical industry The young mar
with brains and culture who chooses such
an occupation commands at once the
respect and confidence OF thoue htful peo
pie.