The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-06-19
From the Mechanics Press.

In all ages Of the world, and among all
nations, history and tradition concur in
acknowledging that Mechanics and other
laboring classes have held but at best u
secondary station more especially this
is the case under Imonarchical govern
ment To Mechanics the question should
naturally present ITSELF Why is this :
Those who, as it were, uphold a nation
from its natural ruin and decay without
whom the most powerful monarch his im-
bccile as an infant; without whom all that
is strong, beautiful and glorious on earth
fades like vision, and decays like flow
er without whom man, powerful, proud
man, would be but grovelIing worm of
the dust do they hold at best but sec
ondary place with the citizens ofthe world !?
Is it indeed so 7 We would repeat the
question, Why is it that we who uphold
those that rank highest among the SONS of
men should be degraded below those who
are dependent upon us for their very ex-
istence ? That it is the case in despotic
governments will be readily allowed, but
why it is so,perhaps not readily answered.
Is it because we do not possess the will
to claim equality with the highest rank :
Is it because we do not possess the pow
er This cannot be the reason. We
rank far the greatest number among the
productive classes. Is it because we fall
below those who call themselves our SUI
periors in natural intellect or because
that mind is uncultivstcd, and springs up
barren waste This, probably, is the
chief cause. Born in a secondary sta
ton in life, and destined, like the Hindoo,
never to oyerstep the bounds of his caste
bred in the belief that those bounds arc
prescribed unalterably by u power he can
not, dare not compete with, he contents
his perhaps soaring and ambitious mind
to languish IN the station in which he is
born never daring TO look beyond his
humble lot gazing ,perhaps,with longing,
upon the wide luxuriant field ofliterature,
the strong holds ofpower; yet ever feeling
his " caste" hanging like clog upon his
heels. But in this land of freedom and
equality there is another cause combining
with the former, which renders it still
more dangerous to attempt it 1t is the
want of unity and perseverance.
The laboring classes have only to unite
and claim even pre-eminece among their
fellow beings, and as the most useful, SO
have they the greatest right to pre-cmi-
nence. We repeat it let them uuite and
equality, pre-eminence is theirs. Per-
haps you may ask what will be the advan-
tage ofempty rank and honor I II is not
to that we would urge you. You appar-
emily have voice, in the choice of rulers
and lawgivers A: and when exerted, ii is nc
knowledged all powerful. 1t is true our
rulers arc all Of our own choice TO us
they are indebted for the elevated stations
they hold we have no wish ourselves to
occupy their places we have other. con-
Germs to attend to our business would
suffer materially BY our absence. For
what purpose are these rulers chosen
Is il to benefit themselves, or is it to la
Dor for our benefit Assuredy the lat
ter. We ask you then 20 point ont sin
gle act passed during the last Session Of
the Legislature, Of genersl benefit to the