Mechanics', operatives', and laborers' advocate., 1837-02-13

"Oh for lodge in vast wilderness
 Some boundless contiguity of shade,
 Where rumor of oppression and deceit
 Might never reach me more. ."-CO1cper.
 We shall not attempt in the following sketch to give thorough report of the present system but merely few of its evils which have occurred under our own observation, and the truth of which, every days experience " ill ratify.
 The evils of the present Factry System are fast growing upon us, and will soon attain to such an height as to render it difficult to and place up- on the same footing the liberty and freedom which are now threatened. We would not raise an unneces- sary alarm in any way endeavor to arouse spirit of rebellion which would be injurious to the interests of the employer or the employed-but we do think that there is now crisis the affairs of the operative which should not be permitted to pass away without there being determined measures taken for the protection of themselves and families against sys tem of oppression and tyranny which is every hour rivetng more firmly the bonds of their degradation. It must not be expected that the great work will be accomplished at single moment-and by single blow. No-t is not thus; but by steady and deter mined marking out the way with cool, ness, and following it with pidty-kecpng the main grand object in view of freedom from tyranni- cal and cruel custom.
 Amongst the first evils which we shall notice in the present system, is it's encroachment upon the natural and unalienable rights of man-frecdom of thought and speech. Every that is acquainted with the present system, must know of the cringing servy and self debasng reverence which is required by the wealthy and aristocratc capitalist, from the persons in his employ, and that the least word in vndicatior of his actions, be they so just, is to be met by an instant dismissal from his service, in def ance of all law or contract. What is law contrac to him He holds the power in his OWE hands, anc vigorously does he enforce it. Talk of appeal from his arbitrary proceedings and he laughs you to What can poor frendcss operative do towards con- tending with wealth and power? It is useless, anc the operative must torego all freedom, and submit tC the strong and iron grasp of power. Even the poo man is sometimes unable to his own free right O. suffrage as it regards the choosing of his rulers He must vote as he is directed, no matter what his pri vate feelings or wishes may be, and thus is of h most republican rights torn from him, and he is ob ged to support party which he conscentiously be-
 eves to the injury of his country and it's free Institu | tons.
 This we consider as one of the most serious evils which we complain and will eventually tend more t, the slavery and oppression of the operative. For wil not the capitalist have the for wishing to degrade and keep in ignorance his operative: a hath the Southern slave-holder-to render his powe and dominion over them more arbitrary and more last ng9 Even now raise but arm in defence of thu operative, and what host is raised of power, wealth and influence to crush the rebellion and every hou that the matter is delayed serves to strengthen nor firmly the gripe of persecution.
 This has been termed free country-but how fire when a proud arstocracy is already raised that l tramplng upon all law and justice, to the oppression of some thousands of our fellow men. We ask no ease. We ask not for affluence power-but we d. ask justice from oppressors, and free use of ou rphte as republican citizens, of choosing according our own judgment, our rulers. Neither is this sub feet one that should alone concern the operative. concerns every free and republican lover of his coun try For it is well known fact that in all ages, an Tn all governments the first step towards tyranny an arbitrary power, las been the removal of this rig from the people and transferring it to the wealth o aristocracy of the country. No one will deny then that this is not subject which requrcs instant at tention-nurous not only to the operative, but to tn welfare of our free and republican Institutions. l The next objection which we shsil present to thu reader in the prescas system is, its opposition to tb