The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-09-09
OUR BOYS.

In glancIng over the possible open
ings for boys, one is forced to admit
that unless a lad have genius, per-
severance, and good. physical con-
stitution, he will find the beginning of
professional life almost insurmount-
ably difficult, if he be obliged from the
start to depend upon his profession for
a living. So large is the competition,
even in our own comparatively new
country, and still moro SO in England
and on the Continent, that the induce
ments to enter the sO-called learned pro-
fessions are financially very small. The
satisfaction Of ultimate success, and the
intellectual pleasures which such
course makes possible, are regarded by
any true student as more than compen-
sations for the early discomforts, and
we would never urge considerations of
a financial nature against 4 boys fol-
lowing his natural bent That is
fatal policy which advises him to choose
his calling simply for the money returns
it promises, for he will learn sooner or
later that money is but small factor
in true success. But we would very
strongly urge such considerations in at
tempting to dissuade those who have no
natural qualifications for professional
life from entering upon so unpromising
career. There are many whose schol-
arly abilities are too meager to permit
the hope of successful competition when
pitted against their more gifted broth
ers. 1t is certainly unfortunate, if not
pitiable, that these young men should,
through mistaken notions of what is
respectable and what is praiseworthy
rush into a course which can bring them
only failure and modification.
Each year, thousands of young men
are graduated from our universities and
schools of learning, only a very small
proportion of whom are ever heard of
afterward in the real contests of life.
And it has become notable fact that
an advertisement for man to I'LL any
but manual position will bring
number of college graduates out of all
proportion TO the total applicants. This
proves nothing against our schemes of
education, for the contrary evidence is
too overwhelming. The men of whom
as a nation we are most proud, the
brightest minds in science, literature,
law, medicine, theology, and the fine
arts, have been for the most part edu-
Gated in universities and colleges. But
the failure of such a large proportion of
college-bred men to attain even ordinary
usefulness in the events of life does
prove that, for them at least, some ele-
ment was lacking which should have
contributed to their preparation for sub
sequent duties. Had they been blessed
with the three qualifications already
enumerated, success would have been
possible in almost any direction. But
unfortunately very few have genius; a
smaller proportion than should, have
good health; and of the three, per-
severance only appears to be cultiva-
BILE quality, and even this is largely
limited by physical endurance. A very
successful man of affairs, quoted by an
English contemporary, Industries, when
asked for the secret of his success, re-
piled. 81 had the physical constitution
to begin work at SIX O'Clock in the
morning, and keep on till eight, nine,
or ten at night. and that for twenty
years" One would say that his sue
cess was well deserved.
1t is not Utopian tenet that teaches
the possibility of success for all normally
constituted men. The essential condi-
ton is the right choice OF vocation.
II is a serious question, what to do with
our boys, for it is just here that SO
many fatal blunders are made. The
parent or guardian, actuated by the best
motives in the world, IS very apt to lay
out plan of life framed entirely from
his own point of view, and unmindtul
that what may prove eminently success
full in one case may be equally disas-
trous in another. And very often the
decision is rendered more difficult by
the necessity laid upon the boy of earn
ing his daily bread as he eats it. Then,
too frequently, circumstance usurps the
place of decision, and what should be
the result of careful thought is left to
mere accident Though one be of OPP
tiinists the most extreme, it is impossible
10 deny that the plan of life pursued by
the majority of men does not lead to
success. And since this plan, whether
ii be of design or the mischievouS fatal
istic drifting which is no plan, begins
when the man is still a boy, it is in the
boy that our hope for the future lies.
How is he to be trained, and his skill
and character developed?
We are accustomed to believe that de-
| mand and supply regulate themselves.
but in this very problem of the future of
our boys, we are brought face to face
with curious incongruity. We see on
the one hand the oyercrowded profess
ions, and hosts of clerks who are ready
to apply for any vacant position, how
ever low the salary, while on the other
| hand we see a market for labor which
is 80 far from being glutted that its sup
plies must be brought from foreign
countries. But between these unequally
balanced classes, little or no exchange
| is possible, for it is a characteristic of
| the latter class that its members must
| be able to use their hands and eyes, as
| well as the brain, and must have
| manual dexterity sufficient to place
| them among the ranks of the great in
| dustrial army of producers.
What is wanted to-day in our own
country is skilled labor. Education IN
its highest form is wanted, but it must
| be coupled with an ability to do some
thing, if it is TO gain for its possessor
| any position in life. 1t must find some
mode of expression, or the world is
| none the richer. Americans are noted
for their ingenuity, but in how few has
4 thorough technical education brought
out US hlghest powers OF expression!
| Here is a field which can be heartily re-
commended to any boy who has decided
to take the reins of life in his own hands
| instead of leaving them to the caprice
| of circumstances. Il he has taste for
the mechanic arts, he has a splendid
opportunity for the exercise of his
powers The acquisition of manual
dexterity is not difficult 1t requires
| little beyond intelligent perseverance.
| But when this skill of hand is once ac-
| quired, it brings an independence which
many man in apparently easier cir
cumstances of life might well envy.
| Nor is it the humble calling which the
drawing-room is apt to picture it. The
| possibilities open 10 the skilled worker
| are almost unlimited. Some new and
more excellent creation is always pos
sible. and from the workshop the direct
! ors of large underfa KINGS are commonly