1 and the greater the number employed, the greater will be the wealth of the nation. And the greater will be the production in which all, at last, share. There is, however, a limit to the hours which men should work. They will not work well if they are tired, or oppressed, that is, held down. A man will do more work in eight hours, putting his good will into it, than in ten or twelve hours of slavish labor. A fair day's work for a fair day's pay is a good motto for all. Questions and Topics for Discussion What countries have never had much wealth? Why? Wealth begins as soon as men begin to do what? Why is it true that more work is necessary when the standard of living is higher? Has the use of machinery changed this truth? What effect has the constant increase in population on the amount of work to be done? Why is it better for everyone when the great body of men are working? If only half the number of men worked, what would they have to do for the other half? How much food will there be to go around? If workingmen are intelligent and industrious, and the greatest number of them are employed, how will it affect the wealth of the nation? How will it affect production? Why is there a limit to the hours which men should work? Under what conditions will a man not work well? Under what conditions will he do better work? Discuss: The importance of a man's occupation. The risks and diseases connected with various occupations. (1) Good eyesight. (2) Ability to work rapidly and accurately, as on piece work. (3) Endurance as needed for standing jobs. (4) Coöperation in the workroom. Importance of special ability in the choice of an occupation. Skilled labor. Unskilled labor. Learning a trade. LESSON V THE BEGINNING OF PROSPERITY When the Indians inhabited this country, most of their wealth was held in common. The tribe held the corn fields. When game was killed, all the villagers shared. Many families lived in the same house. As long as anyone had food, neighbors, or even strangers, would eat. But there was never much wealth among the Indians. There was little encouragement for the ambitious ones to work hard and store provisions. Few built new or better homes, or planted orchards. This was because the lazy and idle could share equally in the result of the work. Three hundred years ago Captain John Smith came to America with a band of men and women. They settled in Virginia. They believed that land, food, clothing, and the prod ucts of labor should be held in common. each person produced belonged to all. But before long things went wrong. were lazy. They would not work. That is, what Some of the men They said, "I can have all the food and clothing that I need, so why should I work?" Others who were industrious, said, "Why should we work for them?" Then came a time of starving and suffering. Captain Smith gave this order: "He who will not work shall not eat." For a time everyone worked and all went well. Unfortunately Captain Smith had to leave the colony, and after a while the people drifted back into their old way of living. The lazy again depended upon the industrious. Again a period of starving came. About this time a new leader, Sir Thomas Dale, came to the colony. He made new rules. He divided the land into equal parts. Each colonist was given a lot of land, for which he paid two and onehalf barrels of corn each year. He cultivated the land which he had been given. This ended the starving times. The people prospered and were contented, for each man was encouraged to work. This same plan of holding wealth in common was again tried by the early settlers in New England, and with the same result. It brought about confusion and discontent, for those who were willing to work did not wish to support those who were idle. Prosperity came only after each family was allotted a piece of land for its own use. The plan which these early settlers tried in America has been tried many times in the history of the world. It is called communism. Communism has always been unsuccessful. It has been tried more recently by one of the European nations. The result has been failure. For what could not succeed three hundred years ago when conditions were most favorable, cannot succeed now. Then there were only a few hundred people in a community. To-day millions would be affected. Three hundred years ago man needed only an ax, a knife, a hammer, a gun, and his labor. To-day one group of people depend upon another for food, upon another for clothing, and another for shelter. The people in our great cities would starve in a short time if farming, manufacturing, and transportation were not carried on. They could not go out and work independently, as they did years ago. Communism is contrary to human nature. Man does not think of his neighbor, and the common good, before he thinks of himself and his family. Instead he will work to acquire something for himself and his family when he would not be willing to work and strive for all, because that which he earns and builds is his own. It rightfully belongs to him and no one has a right to take it away from him. Thus does the ownership of property begin. Questions and Topics for Discussion How was the wealth of the Indians held? Who shared in the food? Who lived in the same house? Was there ever much wealth among the Indians? Why not? Where did he and his colony settle? What did they believe about the land, food, and clothing? What happened before long? How did the people begin to feel? What was the starving time? What order did Captain Smith give? What effect did it have for a while? What happened then? Who came to the colony as a leader after Captain Smith? What new rules did he make? What was the result? When was the same plan tried again? How did it work in New England? When did prosperity come to the colonies? How often has this plan been tried in the history of the world? What is the plan called? Why is communism always a failure? Did it not have a better chance to succeed three hundred years ago than it has to-day? Why? Tell how communism is contrary to human nature. Will not a man work and strive for himself and his family when he would refuse to work and strive for all? To whom will what he earns belong? Has anyone a right to take it away from him? Tell how the ownership of property begins. |