Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-15
ALEXANDRIA,:
WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCT, Is, 1884.
FOR WORKING MEN.

w
vered before the Franklin Institute OF Fhlla-
delphia, by Dr. MITCHELL.
We have read, with great satisfaction, the
Lecture OF DR.. Mitchell, published in the last
Journal of the Franklin Institute, addressed TO
the serious consideration Of the Working Gas
ses To its sound and excellent views we bear
our testimony, and are only sorry that we have
not room for quoting greater part OF it Tor the
Information of our readers, and especially the
Mechanics of our immediate community.
After proving The real value and Importance
OF the Mechanic Arts, and stating the general
disabilities under which the Working Glasses
have so long labored in Europe, DR.. Mitchell
proceeds to show that there is no necessity for
continuance of such state Of things in this
country. He then enters into the main design
ofhis discourse, which is to lay open some of the
means for elevating the character and increas-
ing the knowledge and happiness of Working
Men. We agree with him entirely in his strong
recommendations Of classical learning when
possible to be obtained. He presses strongly tie
proprlety OF attention to science, as contra dis
tingushed from learning and urges the con-
slant exercise Of the mind in whatever is cal
culated to give it tone and strength. He then
says-and TO what follows we invite attention.
That mechanics have not closely studied NH
losophv, is attributable chiefly to the thraIdom
of prejudice, and the disabilities which, created
in leudal times, are not yet removed, even in
our own age and country. In other countries,
and at u more remote period, philosophy was
the privilege of but few, to whom hereditary
wealth, or professional necessity brought the
boon. Experimental philosophy, at least. was
taught in but few expensive seats Of learning,
to which scarcely any one but Il member of the
hereditary aristoCracy. could find access on
any terms. II was then impossible-1or a boy
devoted by his pursuits TO any manual occu-
patton, TO obtain admittance to such places of
instruction, and if possible, the enormous eX-
pense operated as preventive; forif that could
be afforded, the then profits of the anticipated
trade would have rendered it neXpedent.-
That which was, in former ages, a necessary
ignorance, became, as it were badge Of de-
graduation, and ililteracy and abOur were SO
commonly united, us to be esteemed insrpara-
ble
SO hurtful is this evil in the eyes Of some of
the greatest men now alive, that they have al
most devoted themselves 10 the duty of enlight-
ening and reforming a class essentially the most
important to the interests and welfare of soce-
ty. Lord Brou2ham, Dr. Birkbeck, &C. are
now labouring hard 10 make knowledge cheap
and accessible, and to persuade the artficers of
all kinds TO throw off the shackles of the worst
description of tyranny, that of professional g-
norance and apathy. In this they have succeed
ed to very remarkable degree, and While we
are boastng of the revDlution which gave us
the mastery of ourselves we are submitting
even vet to the most degrading Influence of the
mechanical and ariStocratic institutions of the
country from which were delivered and |
fear, permitting the people from whom we sepa-
rated to outstrip US in that kind Of knowledge
which is the true source OF individual advance
ment and national prosperity
Within very few years, however, new spirit
begins to pervade the laborng classes of our
city, and at length DESTROYS of advancing to the
station long since accorded to them by our ma
tional institutions, they seem resolved to pre-
pare themselves for their professions, in the
same philoSophc manner as the divine. the law |
yer, or the physician. This is as it should be;
for otherwise it would appear singular to boast
ofour national independence in language which, |
itself expressive Of ignorance betrays the la |
menabe dependence on foreign influences off
the 6aseSt and most dishOnourable character
The time has at length hope come, when pro-
teSSion will be no longer plea for ienOra2ice /
or trdde an excuse Tor cOnrseReSS and rudeness !
Henceforh a mechanic, ignorant of the princi- |
pies on which his art is founded will scarcely |
be better tolerated than would physician who !
should dare to practice bis at, when convicted
ton of the blood While de5arred the schools
Of science, by the eXcuSiventss of the arsto-
crat or the high price Of learning, he might be
pardoncd for an unavoidable ignorance: but
now, when science opens her arms to receive
him. and beckOns him 10 her temple he must
enter her honorable courts or lame himself
alone for his exclusion. And ifdespised by
those who have embraced the rcjcded oUporu-
mites, he finds himself lowered Onhe scale of
society, let him remember that, in lur country
at least, it is Impossible to suppot long any
other distinctions than those Of taleIt and learn
ing, and that he will be considered most noble
who is so indeed, and he most agreeable and
most welcome, who by great cult alton, has
possessed himself of the affluence of he powers {
Of pleasing. The revolution begun h 10 will {
not be completed until the artificial barriers of
society. instituted in Europe, have ben entirely
overthrOwn; and that can be done sol9y through ,
that cultivation which will render tem unne. s
cessary. In Europe vulgar and ignorant i
man may be found among an herediry aristo. I
cracy, and be sustained by the privileges of his t
Glass; but here such Il man will, watever his a
wealth. or his profession sink into m fitted con- | r