The Arkansas advocate., 1835-09-18
JoURNEYMEN PRINTERS.

whose feelings dhd principles Ii Is more diI- iicult to define, than that fraternity with which we haze headed this article. Ther station in life is, ludoed, peculiar one. n, we might add, one of importance. From the very nature of their profession, they are rendered an isolated and detached brother hood, with no strong inducements to incor- pofate themselves with society, or 10 form local attachments; for the generality of those who follow the mechanical profess sions are not congenial associates for the iourneyman printer, inasmuch as they have but little relish for literary pursuits or intel- lectnal exercises. On the other hand. he Is mortified to find that the progressive in- f1uence of aristocratic feeling in the higher circles forms barrier 10 his frequent pafti cipation in the amusements of refined soci- ety--not, however, on account of any mo- raj degradation which may have attached 10 his name, but merely because the profess sion to which he belongs partakes some what of the character of handcraf.-- Whilst, therefore, his incInations do not prompt hun 10 seek the companionship of the first, his independence and his pride de- ter bin from becoming an unwelcome asso- ciate with the latter, who fancy at least, flat they have been endowed with some peculiar periections of character; and thus the fra ternity of joufneymen printers are rendered an almost detached body of men. Their situation is nearly assimilated 10 certain substances in the natural world, the quali- ties of which are so indefinite and vague, that naturalists quarrel among themselves whether they should be classed in the ani- nal or vegetable kingdom. The journey man printer is not only a comparative her. mt in regard to his intercourse with socie- ty, but in advanced life he is not possessed of those local attachments and local preju- dices which insensiblY entwne themselves around the feelings of others. Although he is not absolutely forgeiful of the scenes of boyhood and youth--although memory oft oft en reverts 10 the endearments of his native laDd and the kindred spirits whose eyes heamed on him with tenderness in departed years; yet, a long commerce with the world, and the variety of scenes through which he passes, render those recollections less vivid, and those feelings less intense. He gradually becomes a citizen of the world, until, eventually, his local feelings cease to influence his opinions or control his actions. Those preindices being anni- Inflated, he remains, in degree. passive spectator of tue drama of life, commenting and reasoning upon all which passes by him in the great panorama--openly censuring that which IS unamiable and unjust, and boldly advocating the cause of truth and virtue. In the expression of his opinion he rarely uses dissimulation, because in every community he Is transient member, and does not look to that community for patron age and support: he aims not to establish a mushroom popularity founded on the ever varying capneieusness of popular senti- ment, by yielding his assent to the absurd- lies and follies which he discerns; and he, therefore, has no inducement to be uncan- did in bis professions. His situation, too, renders him competent to form a correct estimate of the nature of that which he ob- serves: for in addition to having travelled extensively, not only over his own country, but in many instances in foreign climes, his daily labor, itself, is productive of intelli- gence and knowledge. Whilst his hands perform the mechanical operations which procure his subsistence, his eye is resting upon the register of genius, and his mind abstraetedly contemplating the literary beauties and sublimities which he is embo- dying for more extensive circulation.-- He not only imbibes from their very foun- tain and source, the intellectual streams of poetry and romance which flow from the pens of the gifted sons of genius, but he stands in the very focus where are concen- trated the affairs of the world, and Il be- comes necessary part of his labor to read the events which occur in every govern
 nent, whether relating to commerce, poll. tics, or religion. Knowledge is, therefore. forced upon him; and he cannot, If ne would, avoid retaining a portion of that which he reads. In the course of a long life, he acquires a vast fund of information; and although he may not make vain dis play of that which he possesses, yet touch the proper chord, and his hidden thoughts and feelings will gush forth.
 Among almost all mechanics there ex- ists a general obligation to assist each oth- CT in adyersitY; but among iourneyman printers fhs obligation is most forcible and binding. Their migratory habits render .heir means of support extremely fuctua- ting, and very frequently they find them- selves III the midst of strangers, without the power of procuring the necessaries of life. Under such circumstances they invariably find the hand of a brother ready to minister to their necessities. The boon is not re- luctantly given: 1t is bestowed freely, and results from sympathy and charity.