Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-11-01
TIE TELE CRAZE.
B A 7 H ME-:
THURSDAY MORNING, nov. /.
TO THE MECHANICS OF BATH.

come under the above denomination, is
both large and respectable; ---unting nhu-
ence with independence and virtue, and
justly worthy of the consideration and es-
teen OF all classes. To them, we take the
liberty, on this occasion to address our
selves, and hope our suggestions may not
only merit, but receive proper degree of
attention.
We presume almost every Mechanic, will
readily admit the propriety even the
imperious obligations, devolving upon him,
to do all in his power to promote the inter-
ests Of community, and elevate the stand
ard Of morality, virtue and industry among
his fellow men, This is undoubtedly true.
This being admitted, the enquiry naturally
presents itself to the mind, how shall we as
Mechanics best secure the accomplishments
Of these laudable objects? And this is the
enquiry to which we call your attention, III
this paper.
JOHN NEAL, in bis able and interesting
Grafton before the Mechanics Of Portland,
took the ground and laid it down as a prn-
ciplc, that sit IS not good for man to be
ALONE" ---that ASSOCIATION with kindred
mind, and with the world, is, absolutely re-
quiste, in order TO the conception or COM
pletion Of any great and truly valuable I'M
dertaking. He spurned the idea, which is
so prevalent, and by which Mechanics APP
pear TO have been 50 long enchanted; that
deep and dreary SOLITUDE. and seclnsion
from mankind is the handspring and ios-
tering parent Of GENIUS, and the fountain
! from which the world has derived its best
and aoblcs inventions and discoveries
KNowLEDGE, not solitude, is POWER !!
we mean by this, knowledge confers power
to the possessor, to conceive and adapt his
undertakings to the wants Of mankind and
by knowledge also, we are to understand
that the individual, is a careful and studi-
Gus observer of fittings, reads from the great
book Of nature that every where presents
an open page for the investigation Of man,
and improves by the numerous hints and
Suggestions, which are alone To be gather
| ed, by ningling with the world, and a>so-
ciating with kindred mind Examine il
you please, the whole. history Of the rise
and progress Of the Arts and Sciences---ol
inventions and discoveries. Useful and mcr-
itorious, comforting imporshable honor to
the individual, and inca!culabe good upon
the world, and the result will show that
KNOWLEDGE, as above specified aud deGn-
cd, and not Solitude, or selfish onvious,
single-handed effort, far from the gaze and
influence ofmen, who are but reservoirs, SO
to speak Of this sell-same principle, from
Which ALL may draw and be proiled, is the
great aud inexhaustible fountain to which
the world stands indebted.
And reasoning from the condition OF
man, from natural principles, strengthened
and in fact established bypast history, we
/ may rest uSaHreu tnat the ABOVE ndineu
suggestions will always hold good, and that
mankind may never hope TO accomplish
great ends, by holding themselves aloot
from each other, and stunning paths Of
common observation. Man is in himself,
so constituted, both in his physical con-
struction, and mental properties, that rea-
son would not only dictate, but triumphantly
susl ain the propriety and truth Of the pro =
position.
Mechanics, do you assent to these propo-
sitions? We ask you in all sincerity.-Il
you do, our object is TO enforce upon your
minds, the Importance of immediate and
untiring action in accordance with the
same. We know that individuals are apt
to excuse and paliate ;--their PECULIAR
circumsta nces will not permit them, and a
thousand other frivolous pretences are set
up, and tenaciously maintained, or rather
chung TO, in order to crafty their Incidence
or slothfulness. But this will not do. Ev-
cry man should try to do something for the
common veal, and Mechanics especially,
should exercise promptitude in cause en-
phaiically their own.
We admit, with pleasure and pride that
I Mechanics arc heninninu IN do r,ucb fou,.