Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-24
THE TRUE wORKING MAN.
MR.. EyERETT,S SPEECH.

es the following sketch OF speech mace Dy the
Hon. Edward Everett, at meeting of the Wings
of Charlestown, on the Friday evening preced-
ing the late election.
Mr.. Moderator, to Workingmen's party, in
my apprehension of what ought to be the COM
position of party so denominated, that is the
great mass of the honest and industrious men, OF
every pursuit and calling, to the exclusion oil
the irreliyious and the immoral-the idle, the IN
temperate, the busy body, the do little, the do
nothing, the mser, and the spend.hriit-to such
a party' | am so far from being opposed that
I would lain be thought an humble member OF it.
II NAV be in your recollection that some two or
three years ago, endeavored, in public ad-
dress from this place, TO set forth the true prln-
ciples Of such party. know not whether my
claim to be workingman will be allowed by
all those who compose it, as at present organ
lied. have, since have been public man,
been denounced very frequently, as an ariStocrat.
do not know precisely what that imports, in
country like ours; but this | may say, that do
not know how the bread Of idleness tastes; and
that have no object, in life, but by the steady
and laborious exertion of an humble capacity, to
discharge the duties of a good citizen and an
inoffensive neighbour, and to bring up my chill
dren ic the paths of virtue, temperance, ard ho-
uest industry. If this makes workngman,
am one. Let me 60 farther and say, that have
no feelings at variance with the rights and lnte-
the term, are more commonly classed as work
ingmen, | was born and brought up, in that
condition of competence, bordering much more
CLOSELY on poverty than riches. | got the chief
part of my early education al the public schools
of my native town, Dorchester, and Boston; and
If on the face of the earth, there was ever such
a thing as an humble and frierdless orphan
boy felt myself such, the day first made &C
quaintance with good old master Tilestons fe-
rule, at the North end writing school. God
knows, that if any thing on earth commands
my sympathy and respect il is the struggles OF
the poor and friendless, to rise in the word, I'M
der the obstacles of want of property and want
Of friends. III thought these feelings peculiar
10 myself | should hesitate in uttering them.
Ii is because know they are not-because
speak in the hearing of hundreds, whose bosoms
beat with the same emotions-that boldly ap-
peal to them, to give me credit for participating
them.
Sir, take It our fellow citizens Of the work
ingmen's party are Of two classes; first, por-
ton Of the Jackson party, who think that an op
position to the Safe administration can be more
advantageously carried on, by acting under this
banner; and secondly, portion OF the commu-
nity, particularly of those engaged in me-
chanical pursuits, who really think they have
wrongs to redress and burdens to get rid Of pc
culiar to themselves, wantonly or unnecessarily
inflicted and imposed by the other classes of So
w,
political organization. The remarks have to
make are addressed wholly TO the latter portion
of the working mems party. 1t certainly does
not belong to me to dictate to our political oppo
nents what course or measures they shall pursue
or what policy they shall adopt They know
their own interest, and if in their opinion the
workingmen's party is a more promising name
than Jackson party, they will no; be deferred
by us from adopting it, | wish only that the
state of the case may be fairly understood; and
without the least wish to interfere with our oppo
nents in their mode of waging the political war
fare | desire only that The footing on which
each man stands should be candidly avowed.
But to the other description of WorSingmen,
who, agreeing with us in political opinion real
ly think they have evils and wrongs of their own
to redress | would say, my friends what do you
seek, which We do not prize as much as you?-
What do you complain Of which We do not al
so admit to be burden? Would you reform
the laws so would we. We think them good
we think them the legacy Of venerable and pa
triotic forefathers-but We do not think them per-
feet; for they are the work Of fallible men; some
are VIGOROUSLY imperfect; We perceive their de.
fects, and are ready to apply any feasible RENE
DIV. We know that We live in a stirring time;
that new lights are opening in every quarter,
recurring changes to be made in the laws. We
will 90 with YOU not rashly nor recklessly,-
YOU do not, We trust, require it-but boldly and
in good faith. Specify the evil-propose the re-
medy-let it be constitutional reasonable, prac
ticable,-and see il we hold back.
Fellow Citizens Of the Workingmen's party,
have earnestly sought to become acquainted
with your peculiar opinions; to learn what mea-
sures you desire and think necessary. | have
conversed with some Of those in whom you
place the greatest confidence, and have read
some Of your publications. have sought the
information in the spirit Of candor In the
'Daily Reformer,' journal, Of which the pub
LEGATION is Just commenced and which suppose
Justly represents your views, find them expli-
City stated in a series of propositions under
the name Of "the Workingmens Measures"
which will briefly examine; and if do not
grossly deceive myself can satisfy you, that
there is by no means, in reference to these lead
ing measures, such difference Of opinion, be-
tween you and us as requires the organization
of new party.
1. The frst of these measures is ga general
system OF EDUCATION, by means Of Manual La
Dor Schools, supported at the public expense,
and open alike to the children Of the poor and
,va oonosed IN thatl Who is onnoSad m ~