Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1889-07-18
DIGNITY OF LABOR.


why There Can 8o No Honest I.tl6 In the
World Without Work
There is no doubt that as people grow
wiser and older they have more re-
gard for matters of use and learn moro
respect for any useful tasks, however
humble. 1t is only the parvenue who
looks with scorn on those whose rank
in life has made them servitors instead
OF served. It is a failure to recognize
the true meaning of iberty-confound-
ing of lawlesshess with liberty-which
has engendered in this country the
scorn Of work too often found among
ignorant people. The Scripture is
even quoted to prove we are all
branches Of one vine. and to draw
from hence conclusions anarchical to
the existing laws of society. All the
branches of a vine are useful. Some
bear fruit and make brilliant showing,
while others simply serve to bear the
sap to these higher branches, carrying
out the symbolism of servitor and
served. There Is too much work done
in this country in grudging way, as
if the worker were offering perpetual
apology to the world for SO demeaning
herself. Any work done with
regard to the fee only is do
meaning, slavish work, but any work
done with regard for the work in
obedience 70 the immutable laws of
Gods universe. is ennobling to the In
dividual and should be respected.
Respect for the honest workman, hon
or for fine craftsmanship, should be
taught the young. that the Nation may
be able to raise up in future generations
a race of men and women skilled in
handiwork such as We now are sadly
in need of. The British matrons have
met this problem frankly. The de-
terioration of hand labor in England
has not been as marked as in this coun-
try. but the royal ladies Of the Queens
own household have Joined cooking
schools and sewing classes and inter-
es:ed themselves in skilled handiwork
Of various kinds in order to make such
work popular with the vulgar or or
binary classes Of women who must
everywhere compose tho majority of
the land, In this country it is begin
ming to be an exception to find q work.
man who was born in this country.
Our craftsmen and craftswomen arc
generally foreigners, who work for
their fee only. and yield a grudging,
slavish obedience to orders a. though
they were in continual rebellion
against the law Of Heaven that by the
sweat Of their brow they should earn
their bread.
Tho great clamor for education in q
certain class of persons is more be-
cause they believe that by some mys-
ferrous way education will overturn
the laws Of Heaven. and they can by
this means reap without sowing. 1t
is royal way to wealth. They do not
care for education for itself, because
it elevates them, makes them wiser
and capable Of being better. but be-
cause they think that by this means
they can achieve . life without work.
There is no honest life in the world
without work. This il the reason
why 50 many college-bred men may
be pointed out a. failures. Education,
instead Of widening their field of
work. has narrowed it They are
ashamed Of craftsmanship, and scorn
the task for which they are best fitted.
and in which - educated men they
might mako noble headway. "Educa-
tion," says Ruskin, 'fn its deepest
sense, is not the equalizer. but tho dis
coverer Of MENU. 7. Tribune.