Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-14

MECHANICS.

The Beaver Republican contains the following
article
60 Mechanics is strange dislike to
the name of mechanic in this country, as we'll as
else were: il would almost seem disgrace to be
an industrious or useful man. Each parent
thinks his child superior in intellectual capacity,
and capable Of filling any station, whatever MS
ability to qualify him therefor. Hence we
meet with professional men who would doubt
less make most excellent mechanics, but, IN
fitfor a profession, they, remain all their lives
in obscuiity and poverty. Why is thiss Have
NOT the world vet learned to judge men by their
actions, and not by the business they pursueT-
Look through the pages Of history-whOse names
are the briphtestl- who have been the benefac.
tors of mankindl-Why do we so often find men
of sound Judgment in all things else, yielding to
the die tates Of pride and prejudice, and prefer
ring that their children should be brought up IN
idIeness. rather than give them such an occuPa'
tion as would enable them to become useful to
themselves aud othersl
Remarks on the abeue.
We are glad to see such doctrines. They are
Of more Importance to the country, and the world
than men are generally aware Of.
That parents should seek to place their chill
Iren in those occupations which promise the great.
or freedom from toll, is, perhaps, the dictate OF
natural affection. What we love, we are PANIED
70 see engaged in labOrious duty. BUTT IS, alter
all. mistaken view. 1t is not to be doubted that
habit can render any occupation, il not agreeable,
vet free from toll. The smith, whose anvil re-
sounds with the hammer; the carpenter, the ship
builder, the artizan are all OF them happier than
the man who has no employment. But this Is not
all. How few Of those, who are assigned to what
are called the learned professions, ever attain TO
either distinction er usefuiness-and Of the vast
number Aat-hang on the rear OF the bar, IKE
s.Lethe's sable cloud in the Western horizon,
and Of those again who have engaged 10 the de'
icate and responsible art Of healing the SICK or
of those VINO fill the sacred desk, how many we
ask ever confer benefits upon either themselves
or their country!
But again. The great object Of the parent is
frustrated-that is the happiness OF the child
The very contrary is mnistered to. The ques'
ton is one Of absolute ideness and comparative
labor. Ideness none will commend. It's the
rust Of the soul-the faithful mother OF misery
and vice-the foul pool in which all that is dis
ous,no and hateful is ensendered--the Lazar
6ouseSthe very place of disease and corruPtion'
Cowper personifies an idler thus-he is:
IA clock. that wants both hands,
As useless when he goes, as when he stands
Again:
Absence Of occupation is not rest, $50,
A mind quite vacant. is mind disress'a
And vet how many parents are there, who
br,nv nm their children in idle'less! And yet
thew will tell you, "tce loUe our ch,Idrea."
Noihing. surely, can be more paradoxIcai'
such as see the evil of idleness, seek to avoid
the tax that il BAYS, BY finding some employment;
I'm, !, must come as near to idleness as possible.
since labor Of any kind is supposed to be aifi'c'
tive. Hence we see agriculture and the mechan-
ic arts avoided-and any, and every place sought
after rather than the Observation-Disclosures
honorable employment OF the asr'culturist or
the mechanic!
And then comes in our distinctions in society,
based on this frivolous and siokiy feeling OF at
tachment for our children. mechanic, be-
cause he gets "his bread by the sweat OF DIS
brow,D is not considered as good as man who
is too proud to labor, and who goes about pick
ing clean teeth" have nothing to eat; and wear
ing, perhaps, a fashionable coat, which, when he
bought, he never meant to pay tor; and giving 10
his very gait and looks proof Of his bloOd-and
will sometimes 90 so far as to speak OF its richness
and purity, and to thank Uod that ne IL ho' ike
| other men-theSe mechanics!
Such state Of society is not wholesome one.
Ii betokens decay. 1t indicates that the pillars.
ON which rest the fabric Of our Government, and
the temple Of our liberty, and the social relations,
are in tottering state, and unless they are sus'
tanned by something more philosophical and Prac'
tical, they will fall.
Away, then. with this sickIy sensibility-this
| worse than canine madeess. Let parents look
to the subject. Let them bear in mind that
Paul the Apostle was Tentmaker, and that
REM. franklin was Printer; and that from the
work shop have gone. in all ages, to the Senate.
house and to the field, some Of the greatest and
heat men the world has ever known.
philadelphia Com. Herald.