Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-04-11
DIGNITY OF LABOR.
why There Can be No Honest Life in |
World without Work

why There Can De No Honest Life 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 more
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 1t is a failure to recognize
the tue meaning OF liberty
ing OF lawlessness 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 vine are useful. Soma
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 a grudging way, as
II the worker were offering perpetual
apology to the world for so demeaning
herself Any work done with
regard to the fee only is de-
meaning, slavish work, but any work
done with regard for the work in
obedience to 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 heyoung, 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 arc sadly
in need OF. Tho 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 Queen s
own household have joined cooking
schools and sewing classes and inter
csted 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 the majority o.
the land. In this country it is begin
ming TO be an exceptionto find Il work
man who was born in this country
Our craftsmen and craftswomen are
generally foreigners, who work fol
their fee only, and yield grudging
slavish obedience to orders as though
they were in continual rebellion
against the law OF Heaven that by tn,
sweat OF their brow they should carr
their bread
The great clamor for education in |
certain class of persons is more be
cause they believe that by some mys
terious way education will overturl
the laws Of Heaven, and they can b.
this means reap without sowing. |
is a royal way to wealth. They do no
care for education for itself, becaus
1t elevates them, makes them wise
and capable of being better, but be
cause they think that by this mean
they can achieve life without work
There is no honest life in the worl'
without work. This is the reaso
why so many college-bred men ma,
be pointed out as failures. Education
instead OF widening their field @
work, has narrowed it. They ar
ashamed of craftsmanship, and scorl
the task for which they are best fitted
and in which as educated men the
might make noble Roadway. "Educa
tion," says Ruskin, 'in its deepes
sense, is not the equalizer, but the dis
coverer OF men. IN. Y. Tribune.