The record-union., 1896-08-13
DIGNITY OF LABOR.
Interesting Story Told of Pres ident
DiaZ of rlexicO.

In these days of political stir and ex-
element one unconsciously calls to
mind the Presidents and notable men
of our times, who have as it were
risen from the ranks" to become. lead
ers in the important questions of their
day and Nation, and were thereafter
not ashamed to count themselves
among the sons of toll" There was
dear old Abraham Lincoln of happy
memory, who once split rails in Ken
lucky. Andrew Johnson was ever
known to refer with pride to the days
when he was a tailor in Tennessee.
Garfield in his youth was a canal boy,
as we all know; Ex-Governor Perkins
was a sailor boy, and our present Gov
ernor, Jim Budd, as he is Familiarity
known, during his electioneering days,
went about the country on buck
board, and wherever he stopped, be-
fore making his speech, entertained his
audience with a selection on the banjo,
which always travelled with him. Our
noble President, Grover Cleveland, will
be handed down to posterity as a
fisherman" He has never sought to
conceal the facts concerning his chosen
calling, but rather glories in it, plying
his trade even now amidst arduous
office duties, whenever opportunity
offers, SO strong is the force of habit.
OF General Porfirio Diaz, now the
worthy President of the republic of
Mexico, a good story is told in this
connection. Having been but recently
elevated to the position of first magis-
trate of the Mexican nation, he shortly
received an invitation to come to
Fuebla, with the object of in
augurating the first exposition ever cell
ebrated in that place. He cheerfulIy
complied with the summons, which
combined duty with pleasure, and upon
arriving, among other places which he
visited, at the request of the citizens,
he inspected the salons and workshops
destined for the use of a, society of ar
tisans While there he was approached
by committee Of the order, who noti-
fed him that he had been elected an
honorary member of the society, and
his name placed upon the list of mem
berS as such. The General returning
to them his thanks for the compliment
bestowed upon MIN, suddenly, as if
struck by happy inspiration, asked,
laughingly, of his admiring audience:
And now, gentlemen, what is reQui-
site to admit one to an active mem
bership of your admirable society?'
"Well, SIR was the reply, 'it is only
necessary to be able to work at some
trade" THAT is WE'LL" he responded,
will you kindly bring to me a board,
saw and a plane?" His desire was
quickly complied with. and Immediately
this, the chief magistrate of the whole
nation, removing his coat and rolling
up his shirtsleeves, thus disclosing his
we'll developed and muscular arms,
welded to and fro the saw, soon sever,
ing the board, after which he dexter
ously planed it to a smooth surface
with the manner of one we'll accus-
toned to the tools he was using. On
concluding his task he turned to his
delighted audience with smile upon
his genial countenance, saying. as he
wiped the sweat of honest toll from
his brow: And now, gentlemen, il I
have proved to your satisfaction that I
am competent to handle the implements
of this business, will you do me the
further honor of making me an active
member of your honorable organiza-
tion?'' A hearty burst of enthusiastic
applause was the answer received to
the demand of the illustrious carpenter.
and a few minutes later his diploma.
changed to one of active membership.
was placed in his hands. This was a
stroke worthy of the military genius of
this great man, and was an object les
son worthy of emulation. A carpenters
tools welded by the potent hand of the
head of nation, one whose every act
is observed and commented upon, be-