The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-08

MISCELLANEOUS.
From the ". Y. Eppeuiag Star.


MECHANICS" Look at that Tailor, driv-
ing his barouche and horses" said whisker-
ed dandy in Broadway how can America
ever arrive at distinction, when all classified
ton of persons is thus annihilated, and the
coach of your tailor runs against the wheels
of your own tilbury." This is the opinion,
no doubt, of many who never earned dollar
by their own industry. Bonaparte the best
Judge of human nature and of merit, never
visited a great painting, or specimen of in
penuity or mechanic art that he did not, on
taking leave, walk up formally to the artist,
or mechanic, or engineer, and taking off his
hat, salute him with low and respectful bow:
it was homage due 10 merit, and he always
paid that debt Nothing gives me more plea
sure than seeing mechanic in his own coach,
that is to say, if he drives his own coach on
the actual profits of his occupation; if he mis-
takes the time, and begins too early, he is
lost for mechanic who sets up his coach,
and is compelled to set it down again, from
premature commencement, and not under
standing his position, is a poor creature, In
deed and runs ahead of his business.
II, is custom, and bad custom, in Eng
land to look on tradesmen and mechanics as
an inf, rior class Of men, without reference 10
their character or wealth. This, however,
grows out of the distinctions aud classifca-
lions Of society in n monarchial form of 60
vernment, and keeps mechanics, excepting in
the city OF London, continually under the ban,
and consequently prevents their ever attain
ing a high rank and we regret to add, that
we are tinctured little too much in this
country with the same feelings. Some Of our
families, accustomed 10 believe that there Is
in mechanic something low and grovelling,
prefer bringing up their sons TO profession,
or in counting house, or in a retail fancy
store, and when they come OF age, they have
no capital to give their children to commence
business with, and they drag out wearied
and poor existence. depending on chance, and
seldom attaining aflluence. This is not the
case with the sober, industrious mechanic, he
has business, capital Of which he cannot
be deprived, and if he possess ingenuity and
enterprise, aud, above ALL sobriely and indus
try, he is very likely TO a attain fortune. The
secret therefore, in this republican country,
is TO give your sons good education an edu-
cation suitable for any profession, and then
make mechanics Of part OF them. because, if
they are temperate, ingenious, industrious and
frugal, they must make good living. but il
these principles are engraiied on a good edu-
cation, such mechanics not only become rich,
but they become great. a.
The education which qualities them for
the bar or the bench--for the highest honors
of a profession, imparts greater value TO
their mechanical pursuits, and enables them
to take high rank in the political world,
sustained by powerful interest, and if we
had larger portion of mechanics in Con-
gress than we now have, the country would
repose in safety in their sagac,y and in,elli-
gence. True, there are privations and incon-
yeniences in learning and working at a me-
chanical busness-boys must be up early and
la,e-lire ard-work hard ; they must make
great sacrifices of ease and comfort for term
of years, and then they will begin TO reaiize
the good results--to taste Of the good irui'-