Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-03

the principles OF political economy, and :hen
giving way TO the bent Of his incliia ions. burst
like meteor light upon the world, and sue
eccded in gaining an envia3le station among
the patriots and statesmen of the ogo.
In more modern times, the world has wit
messed the rise Of men from the society ofmc-
chanics, who have cclipsed in tho race Of com
petition, those who entered on the busy hustle
of life, favored with the patronage OF aii.uen'
friends, and the indulgencies Of the world
And among others, who were thus distingui uish-
ed, the late General Robert Goodoo Harper,
should be particularly mentioned. lie cntor-
ed on the arduous duties Of life, unaidcd by any
one, and for some years followed the profess
possessed mind capable of culture, and open
! to tine reception Of tho embellishments Of an
|, education, ho commenced a series Of self in
struction, and finally accomplished all no had
! aimed at. lIe was a statesman Of acknowl-
edged abilities, and as political writcr, had
| but few, if any suporiors. For many years
| previous to his death, he commanded decided
influence among tho party to which hc was
att6 chcd, and had not the opposing political
army triumphcd, it is most probable, ho would
| have attained those posts of honor and respon-
sibility, which worc confdcd to individuals less
efficient, and less talented.
We have thus afforded few instances of
tho rise Of great men from the mechanical
ranks in our own country, merely to provo to
they may individually or collectively follow,
do not close tho doors of prolerment against
them, and that the carpenter, the shoc-make ker,
tho tailor, or the batter, has tho samo oppo1;u-
nifty to riso, as the lawyer,or he who has pros
cd away one half Of his LIE, within tho walls of
a seminary OF education.
In tho world Of Letters too, mcchanics have
been distinguished. From tho days Of Bon
Johnson, down to the present period, mechan-
les have hourished as scholars and writer's, and
the elegant illusions and correct criticisms Of
u Clifford, the chastencd and harmonious lays
Of Bloomfield and Burns, and IN Ettric
Shepherd, make good the assertion. Had we
time and space allowed US, we could men
ton the names Of host ofmen who have been
particularly distinguished for their greatness;
who were educated mechanics; and the few
we have cited, will, wo trust, induce every
young mechanic, who may read this essay, to
follow tho examples Of their distinguished pre-
decessors.
And why should mechanic despair. Ifhc
possess talents, it is in his power 10 cultivate
them, and if he be only cnterprizng, ambitious
and Industrious, success the most signal and
complete, will nssurcdly attend him, and he
may, as he uscends tho rounds Of tho ladder
Of fame, look proudly back, and smile at the
low degree Of his former opposcrs and abuscrs.
There is no man moro useful to society, than
| the industrious and enterprising mechanic;-
il he labors at the hand-saw, or works with
tho trowol, he is far moro beneficial to the
world, than the arrogant and pedantic empyr-
ic, who fancying himself God, looks with af-
fected scorn, upon him who gains his daily
bread by tho sweat Of his brow, and labors till
his hands become as hard as tho implements
he works with, for the benefit Of mankind.
We cannot but think, that tho correspond
ent, who has callod from us these incidental
remarks, is in error, in supposing that the
young gentlemen Of Providence, attempt to
treat mechanics, and their apprentces,"
with scorn and derision. but if they do, he
should not regard their contumely, but make
every effort to rise superior to thom, and prove
that they are not only unworthy Of his notice,
but entitled to his pity.
Having devoted part Of our lives to me-
chanical labour, we entertain fellow feeling
for the members of every orafi; and, it will ev-
or bc ono of our happicst omployments, to do
fcnd and advocate the rights, and reputation,
Of those who toll in the workshop ofthe handi-
craftsman, and WELD the axe, the hammer and
the malct.
BENEvoLENcE.-Byth the report of the board
of officers oT tbc Providence =, ,r;t,bIo E,ol Go