The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-24
CRowDING THE PROFESSIONS.

There is an evil tendency in America to
overstock all the professions. We are fill
ing up the ranks of the professions to
percentage of the whole population nearly
or quite double that in France, which
with nearly 10000, 600 of people. has 90 per
cent. of her whole population in agricul-
ture. 20 per cent. in mechanical pursuits,
10 per cent. in commercial pursuits, while
but per cent. follow the professions.
The evil of an excessive crop of doctors,
lawyers and priests will always prevail
until the present false public opinion that
associates more dignity and worth with the
professions than with other callings that
require intellect and intelligence, is re-
placed by a sounder and healthier social
philosophy. No man need be afraid that
intelligence and digested learning, in the
shape of thought, will not adorn and anne
liorate any calling he may see fit TO fol-
low.
No man can steal a reputation for either
sense or skill by purchasing the livery
Of any so-called profession. Agriculture
and skilled labor languish because of the
false sentiment instilled into so many
growing minds to scorn such callings
from belief that there is shorter road
10 permanent public esteem through the
name and style of profession. There
may be for an exceptionally rich and
gifted mind and heart, but the mass of
persons who jump into the professions are
not impelled by a soul of furnace heat
within, but by weak idea that it is about
the only respectable thing to do, without
any Thought whether they have any
natural taste or talent to help them vindi-
cate the wisdom of their election and
make their calling sure. They go into
the law. the pulpit or the medical school
with something Of the same sort of feeling
that compels the younger sons of the
English nobility to enter the army,
the navy, the church or the law,
because the tyranny of social custom
makes II inevitable that as portionless
children there is no other respectable
refuge for them. Whatever learning or
social accomplish ments man thirsts for
enough 20 be willing TO work in order to
win is worth having IS a matter of self
attainment no matter what calling in life
he chooses, bat the men who adopt call
ings, not because they have any yearning
in that direction, but solely because they
are weak enough 10 despise what they do
know a. less respectable than some call
ing they do not know and never can
know, since they are in love with its easily
won show and not with its bitterly won
substance; these are the men that crowd
ell professions with losfers, dream
ers, saunterers and quacks. These
become the tramping middle men the
world over, all because they are taught
that the mere cloak of profession has
certain superficial sheen Of responsibility
separated from any glory that high attain
ments may confer upon it. The idea IS
as deceptive SIS the social folly Of suppos-
ing that q glorious pedigree, fine family
or rich father will supply the absence in
wrestling with the world, Of manhood,
courage, honesty, industry, energy and
honor.
If the simple everyday philosophy was
taught the boys 10 be honest enough with
themselves. not 10 pitch for profession
unless you feel a decided mental bent or
drift in that direction; if your soul has s
hanging or thirst for It, very well; but
don't pitch for il because society tickets it
"a "a highly respectable calling" Any up
r;cht work that the world wants ven can
maize highly respectable by mastering it.
Ifmental instinct rather than the voice Of
social opinion decided our oaliings for US
,hsre would be many msn happy and USE