American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-29
FOR THE wATcHMAN.

In mechanical operations-in the supply OF all
our wanls-thcre il a social obligation upon us, TO
pr cfer when il can be done with equal advantage,
nur neighbors and fellow citizens, to strangers
The mechanics of this Borough compose the lar
gest portion of its czens, and afford the greatest
support to its government. Many OF them are
possessed Of small properties, which, however nau-
spcious the place--tie them down in it. Aud
without the patronage of their fellow citizens-op.
pressed with heavy taxes, and the weghter burden
Of large families--ruin and poverty must be their
ultimate portion.
1t is the undoubted right Of every man 10 choose
by whom his work shall be performed and perhaps
at what price but it is not at present our oblec
inquire into the business Of the practice OF .9rnd
ing the poor" They are free TO have their owr
terms-as they have always been free to Jew the
poor and industrious mechanic, who is dependant
upon their employment for his liyelihood-out o
the last cent Of profit But they are not free, and
cannot Justify the practceo give 10 strangers that
work, to which, citizenship, and their share in
the support of the Borough, does and out to entle
our own mechanics.
That there are mechanics within the Borough ca
pablo of performing, as we'll and better, the mechan
ica operations-to execute which, strangers-alens
have been invited hcrc-there is no doubt And
il is confidently believed that they might have been
obtained at the same price. But the attempt was
never made. 1t could no, have been on account oil
the superiority of foreign workmen, thai they have
sighted our own. If so they have been most un
tortunatc-and to whatever cause We are to impute
their disappointment, it has saved our mechanics
from every modification except that which arises
from the disgrace cast upon their profession by the
bungling of prctenders. What, then, can be the
principle which governs this evil policy-whlch
transfers the employment due to our own citizens-
10 foreigners, BY whom the State is in no way ben
Gifted? For it is notorious that they pay no take:
here-and the money which they acquire is carried
home with them to enrich another State.
Can it be charity which keeps up this practice
Without fearing the impuiation OF having advanced
selfish doctrine, would say IN this case that
" charity ought to begin at home" Our sister states
can support their own czens-- and VIC have objects
at home sufficient to conhne the exercise Of youl
beile VIOLENT feelings within narrower range: objects
whose claims you invested in their fellow cit
izenship, neghborhood, and want OF employment.
IF il Is a determination TO be independent Of the
mechanics Of the Borough can only say, that il
argues more for your pride and wealth, than bcnev
olence or patriotism.
Whatever be the reasons which uphold this poll
cy, it is time for its authors to employ themselves
in an operation, in which their wealth cannot aid
lhem-in rejecting upon its evil tendency. lii
tie dcliberation, however unaccustomed they may
be to it, will neither injure their popularity, nor, what
is perhaps of more consequence, tighten their pur-
ses but it is hoped, may prevent the recurrence
Of the preposterous spectacle exhibited In foreign
6 botch" daubing by the hour with less skill Than
landscape caricaturer of six years OF age-whe
there proficient professors of the trade OF paint
ing, idle for want Of employment, and who, 1t Is
probable, If other account but to save the cred
it of the mystery would have worked for hall
price.
In conclusion permit me to beseech OF the authors
Of this cvil--iha, while they amuse the town. and
crafty their own taste in the employment Of foreign
operators they will bencvolently take into conside
ration the professional feelings Of our tradesmen-
and If they will not employ ,hem-at all events pro-
cure such strangers will not disgrace their pro.
esuion, and whose labor is not dear a, any price.
MECTANIGUs,