AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. PART FIFTH. THE third head of discourse or principal division of our subject remains to be treated of or discussed, viz.:What can the people do for themselves, independently of the government?* 1. They should endeavour, by all means, to acquire a perfect mastery of their own proper business. Very few farmers or mechanics do themselves justice in this respect. They ought to aim at and strive for the highest eminence in agriculture and the mechanic arts. They should do their work well-try to do it better-be willing to learn-make experiments with a view to improved machinery and modes of operation, etc. 2. Persevering industry and rigid economy indispensable from the outset.-As also, sobriety, honesty, order, regularity, punctuality, system. 3. Independence of mind or spirit. Self-reliance. Disregard of popular prejudices about negro labour. False pride on this subject. Slavery, a prolific source of idleness, extravagance and profligacy. Men who cannot afford to keep slaves, must work themselves or be worse *Upon this branch of the subject-the most important perhaps of the three-I shall here record only a few general hints for extemporaneous enlargement, as occasion may serve or require. off than slaves. They can never rise above their present humble position otherwise. They will remain poor, degraded, despised-if too proud to labour. Work as freemen in order to be free. Negroes, a great hindrance to white labour. 4. Knowledge to be sought and acquired in all practicable ways-and from every available source. Educate yourselves. Show how this may be done. 5. Morality-Religion.-Demonstrate their importance even to worldly thrift and prosperity. Labourers need not be 6. Refinement of manners. rude, vulgar, rough, boorish, repulsive, coarse, rustic or uncivil. A gracious demeanour-a courteous addressa quiet, self-possessed, gentle, urbane habit of buying and selling to be studiously cultivated. Illustrate the value of such accomplishments to the parties addressed. 7. Popular education-as a common cause, and with reference to the general welfare of the people. Show how the entire mass of the labouring people may be benefited and elevated by a higher standard and system. of education. 8. Individuals distinguished by genius and learning among farmers and mechanics, do not elevate or dignify the class or body to which they at first belong. They rise above it—leave it—and appear as stars in a different sphere. They become physicians, lawyers, preachers, statesmen, politicians, inventors, authors, journalists. They cease to be artisans and labourers. They do not therefore illustrate their primitive humble rank or calling. The mechanical trades or crafts continue as before. The shepherd, the tinker, the journeyman printer, the shoemaker, the carpenter, the lastmaker,* the blacksmithı, the clockmaker, the barber-have gained nothing in public estimation or social privilege, by the intellectual superiority and miraculous achievements of a Shakspeare or Ferguson, a Bunyan, a Franklin, a Sherman or Bloomfield or Carey, a Lea, a Morrison, a Burritt or Bäer, a Rittenhouse, an Arkwright, a Burns, a Fulton. * Dr. Morrison was a last and boot-tree maker. |