Warning
--The horrifying death of our unfortunate fellow-townsman,
Mr. Jos. Laidley, affords another instance for the necessity of extreme caution.
We are daily entering upon new and praiseworthy enterprises.
Our people are bravely setting themselves to the production of articles which a little experience will prove can be easily obtained among us, and while supplying our wants, will currach our citizens.
But at the same time new experiments are always attended with danger.
A little success at first may cause prudence to relax.
The great demand for war materials, our own zeal and eagerness to meet it, together with the unpracticed hands that are engaged in the manufacture, involves the necessity of a prudence and carefulness even beyond that which is practised in old-established factories.
A friend once described to us a visit to the extensive powder mills of
Dartford, England.-- ‘"A solemn stillness pervades the place,"’ said he, ‘"though hundreds of men wore on the premises.
The silence was appalling.
The strictest discipline and watchfulness are observed, and every one seems to move about with the consciousness that each moment may be his last."’
Yet these melancholy occurrences need act only as lessons of caution, while they should not deter others from prosecuting a similar business.
We are beset by dangers every hour of our lives, but that is no reason why we should sit still and watch for them.
Some are risking their lives on the battle-field — others in furnishing the means to fight with.
Sad as is the death of
Joseph Laidley, and valuable as were the services he was rendering to his State, yet, if he be the means of saving others, the awful dispensation will not have been in vain.
We learn with regret that not long ago he insured his life for a considerable amount, the whole of which was forfeited when he outered upon this new and hazardous business; and Mr. L., a lady in delicate health, may, in addition to her melancholy bereavement, be called upon to suffer other privations.
The victim of
Lincoln's ernel war by accident have far outstripped the number of those who have fallen before the enemy.
