The Columbus journal., 1894-04-25
INERT IA. A DISEASE.

XN0N4 IA. n ~A00A00s
A few Thoughts Upon the Situation by an
old Correspondent Of The Journal.
DEAR JoURNAL:-Iti is long time since
I wrote you last. 1t does me good to see
you and renew acquaintance with the old
familiar names. There have been very
many changes in your community in the
last few years. The old are passing away
one by one. and the younger generation
are taking their places. Therefore be
ye also ready"
What do you think Of the hard times
and this universal uprising Of the labor
ing classes. Let me whisper into your
ear some of my thoughts on this subject.
These thoughts may not be worth much;
take them for what they are worth.
Let us look at both sides for moment.
On the one hand it is true that legisla-
tion has some effect on the state of in
dustry: on account of the changes in
value which it may bring, and for other
reasons. 1t is also true, that there is
constant tendency for the rich to oppress
the poor, and for those in high life to
take advantage of those lower down.
The dissatisfaction of the laboring classes
is not without foundation in these re-
CARDS; and there is, o. ever-so- much
room for improvement. Legislative
bodies ought to be much more careful
than they are, not to do more harm than
good by their tinkering, and those who
are favorably situated in life ought TO
have more regard for the rights and the
comforts of those who are less favOrably
situated.
What a lesson could be learned from
the great journalist who recently passed
away, of whom it was said, that ''he was
the angel Of the church in Philadelphia"
The golden rule is very fine even as
rule, but when actually put into use it
becomes more precious than rubies or
diamonds of richest lustre. 1T is more
blessed to give than to receive" The
greatest thing in the world is kindness,
love-
But when all this has been freely ad-
mitted, much may also he said on the
other eide. First, legislation cannot
create substance. All the laws on earth
cannot produce one loaf of bread or one
thread towards coat. Then as to the
classification into those who labor, and
those who are rich and perform no labor
The idea 50 common among farmers and
mechanics that merchants, bankers and
professional men do not work, is a great
mistake. As between those who toll
with their hands, and those who toll with
their brains, the latter have the harder
time of it by far. The nerve strain,
worry, chagrin and weariness that in
variably come to those in mercantile and
professional life are much greater bur-
den than any borne by the farmer or
mechanic. The Germans have divided
society into classes, Naehrstand, Lehr-
stand, Wehrstand, food producers, teach
ers and defenders. These three classes
are all necessary, and neither can do
without the other. There is no room
for envy, as each class bears its burdens.
Then again, it has always seemed to
me, that people Of all classes in this
country have been spoiled by prosperity
and when adversely comes, as it does
now, they are utterly at loss. 1t would
hardly be true to say, that Americans
are indolent, but what is true is this:
They will work with a fury for q few
hours, take the fort by ono great on
slaught, and then dress up and play the
gentleman. believe in the perseverance,
of saints-in more than one sense. Then
again, the division of labor has become
50 rigid as to work injuriously in many
cases. A bricklsyer, for example, will
lay brick. If he cannot find anybody
who wants brick piled up, will stand
around on the streets all summer and
scold. It never occurs to him to pile up
AAcoeOAc AOA o C0ou8c, VI Plo0ScI, VI OAS,
or raise chickens, or milk cows, or saw
wood or drive nails. Take the case Of
the farmer. He seems to have entirely
if indeed he ever knew, that
the original and proper idea Of farming
is to raise everything and make every
thing that is needed, right on the farm. |
1t never occurred to Abraham or Jacob,
or Washington, to raise only q little
wheat and corn and buy everything else
for cash. They cared little for market |
prices, because they were Independent of |
the whole world. A farmer ought to |
raise little grain, mainly for his own |
use, feed some cattle and hogs, also for |
his own use, do all his own building,
keep his own blacksmith shop, do all his
repairing on harness and machinery, do
his own grinding (unbolted meal is the