The native American., 1839-07-13
YOUNG MECHANICS.


There is no class Of the community upon whom
the future welfare of the country more essentially
depends than upon the rising generation ofyoung
mechanics. Ii they are intelligent. sober, indus
trious, and consequently independent, able and
accustomed to Judge for themselves, and govern
ed, in their conduct, by all enlightened view OF
their own best interests; il they arc men OF Tins
sort, the mechanics, and especially the young me-
chancs, will form the strongest bulWark oil our
free institutions, and the best hope OF the Re-
public.
Ii, On the other hand. they arc ignorant idle,
dissoluie, and consequently poor anu dependent
upon those who are willing to trust them-lt
our mechanics should unhappily become such =
class, (of which, | thank God, there IS but little
Idanger,) they would soon he converted INTO the
mere tools Of few rich and artlul men, who hav-
ing first shipped them of every sense OF sell-re-
spect, and every feeling proper to vlrtuous ci''-
zens, would use them as passive instruments Tor
promoting their own ambitious objects, and Tor
the enactment of laws which are beneficial TO no
body but the artful few with whom they origl-
nate.
It is as true Of the mechanical arts as OF any
other profession that knowledge is power, ana
we earnestly recommend to the attention OF our
friends among young mechanics, the following
excellent hints copied from the Buffalo Jour-
nal:
Hints to To,ug Mechanics. first object
Of Il mechanic as it should be that OF every one,
is 10 become thoroughly acquainted with his par
ticular business or calling. We are too apt to
learn our trade or profession in halves; and hence
being compelled to live by halves, die by inches.
Study and labor to excel your competitors, and
then YOU will not fail to command the patronage
Of the most discerning and liberal paymasters.
There is a great variety of highly useful know
ledge which appertains to every branch OF busl-
ness that may he acquired by course OF Judlcl-
Gus reading. This knowledge, well digested and
lsysenatizcd constitutes the science OF every oc-
|cupation. Thus, If you are carpenter, the
science Of architecture should be studied with pro-
found attention; il ship-bulder, the science OF
navigation and hydrostatcs, and that combination
Of them which viii give the largest capacity to
Ia vessel with the least resistance from the water,
and the greatest safety in the time OF danger from
the clements. If you are machnst or mill
wright the mechanic powers should be well un-
derstood; and if the machinery is to be propelled
by steam or water, you should study the science
of hvdraulcs and should have perfect know
ledge of The combination of heat and water, both
in its latent and active state, understand how II
happens that a quart OF water converted INTO
steam, which, BY thermometer, IS not noltet
than boiling water, yet will bring gallon of wa
ter up to the same temperature. II you are
halter, dyer, painter, or a tanner, there IS no
study so useful as. chemistry. .:".
The fact was known quarter of a century to
chemists, that gum shellac was nsoluble in water
before any halter used to make water proof hats.
The whole art Of giving beautiful and durable CO.
lors to different bodies entirely depends upon the
chemical affinity Of such bodies for the colorng
material, and the affinity of this latter Tor. the dlt-
lerent colored rays Of light.
We speak understandingly when we say that
the tanners and the public i'll the United States,
lose millions annually from the lack of scientific
knowledge how best to combine vegetable tannln
with animal gelatin, which is the chemical pro-
cess of making leather-call it by what name you
please.
There is a vast amount of knowledge which is
now completely useless, that ought to be brought
home to the understanding Of every operative in
this Republic We love industry and respect all
who practice it, But labor without study is like
q body without soul. Cultivate and enrich the
mind with all useful knowledge, and rest assured
that an intelligent understanding will teach the
hands how to earn dollars when the ignorant only
earn cents.