Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-09
tsaptsnsns.. They stand In the same relation

10 socioty tndt other ihuigeht ch"aiop o", anu
the boy who serves regular apprenticeship to !
the manufacturing business, goes to the world
with a. good = trade, as the lad. who
serves his time in the The shop Of the earpen-
printer and what is far better. he does not
run the same chance of contamination. The
lad who is employed in the manufac ac.ory. has
the ssme chance to acquire an education. that
the carPsater's lad has. and if he IS but indns-
frious, and has a thirst for learning. lie will
acquire an education, equal TO all bis wants.
and perhaps may become a finished scholar
Was tho genius Of Sir Richard Arkwright cramp-
ed by tine tolls Of the machine shop was the
mind OF Clifford debased BY the lapstone Of the
cobier, or by the cluitering Of the hammer
was the genius Of Burns. damPsned by the
1plough--was Benjamin Franklin retarded in
Ibis progress towards greatness and glory, by
'thc labors Of the press Roger Sherman
injured by the peggng awI, or was Nathaniel
Greene, the second hero OF the revolution, i'm
peded in his career, by the noise Of the trip
none Of these us.rious men, were injured by
their early toilings they possessed no better
advantages. than the children who arc en-
pieysd in our manufac ctories, and though they
might not have acquired the address and pol
ished manners Of Duke Of Marlb orough, in
education, and in knowledge Of the fine arts,
they surpassed the proud conqueror Of the
Prince Eugesnc.
. The speech Of Mr.. Dlggett, was intended
for libel; and the intention was made good,by
him who conceived it (; and till the last day Of
his life. he may enjoy the proud Satisfaction
of knowing, that ho has Indignantly abused
PORTION Of our population, the members of
which, are proverbial for the correctness Of
their conduct. Lest, however, we should make
too much Of the man, we now leave him, and
for moment will commune with the gentle
man Of the Star.
We are really surprised to find gentleman
possessing SO much intelligence, as the Edto-,
Of tho Star, and who by the way possesses
fertile Imagination and a varied genius
secsnding the assumptions, and advocating the
untenable positions Of such q man as Mr.. Dag
3stt; and still moro surprised are we, to Gnd
that he is endeavonring to give on impression
abroad, that the children Of our maRufact
are treated with brutal rigour and savage cru
city His positions are not founded on facts
and we undertake to say, that he cannot ad-
deco the tho least proof to substa ntiate his
sertions If he have proof, let it be adduced.
ard We shall listen to it with great complacen-
ey. and oe found among those, who de claim
vshemently against the iniquities Of the age -
The children who are reared in our manufacto-
ries, are not maltreated; they have to conform
10 q regular aud Wholesome discipline, but
they are not abused; bu, if they are. the laws
of the land will, and must project them, and
there can be no reasonable complaint, that
redress for their injuries is not obtained. The
see the inhabitants Of manufac curing Villages
as" ignorant and unlettered as they are poor
and depeRdent.' and if it will al all obge him,
Ne will assent TO the assertion, but in doing SO,
We shall take occasion to remark, that we
were never yet acquainted with manufa ctur-
ing community, that was either absolutely
"ignorant and nnlettered," or positively
I" poor and dependant" So far as our ac-
.quaintance. with the manufa curing commun-
ties of America has extended, we have found
them to be composed Of the honest, frugal and
industrious classes Of society--of those who
neither indolent or immoral, and who, on the
contrary, are the most valuable members Of So
eiety;-the bone and sinsw Of the nation
And yet we are told by the gentleman Of the
Star, that they are "poor, unettered, depend
ant and ignorant"
IF our young friend. wishes for any informa-
,tion on the subject, let him but for once, make
q strict examination Of the state Of society in
the village Of Pawtucket, and he will then
end, that all who are employed in manufac-
turing pursuits, are not quite so debased and
degraded as he imagines. The numerous es-
Establishments which that village affords, are
mainly operated. by the very individuals who
are denoupccd by the editor Of the Star, as
" unlettercd, poor and Dependant" and who
are, we are proud to say, very JiAtly ranked
among the more valuable members Of society
To the credit. of the proprictors of manufac-
t.ories, be it recorded, that they, of all others
saaye been among the most forward in dfi,s-
s.px light and knowledge have taken unwoa-
cried pains to promote the great cause of edu-
cation, and one of the most eminent Of the
order, SAMUEL SLATER. Esq has had the
,honor. Of being the founder OF Sunday Schools