The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-26

Ask the rich man where he obtained his wealth
and he will tell you that he, his father, or at
best, his grand father, once laboured with their
own hands, and by their frugality and industry
they became rich. There is scarcely wealthy
man in the United States, who cannot trace back
the time when he or his fathers were mechanics
or laborers; it is almost universally the case in
this young republic.
And does not one class in society mutually de-
pend on another ? How conld the workman
live and support his family if the capital of the
rich man did not find him material for employ
ment and pay for his labor Who employs the
mechanic but the rich man On the other hand
how could the wealthy man get along without
the mechanic Could he live and be cloathed
with his gold ? Could he eat his silver for
bread, or wear it upon his body Would he not
starye upon his money bags unless the " big
fist" of the mechanic came to his aid The rich
man is willing to pay the laborer for all the be-
nefts he enjoys from his work, and the laborer
is satisfied with the recompense he receives for
his toll. Both are contented one with the adj
yantages he receives from the others labor, and
the other with the compensation he receives
for it.
And again, does not every industrious me
chanic look to the time when he, like thousands
before him, can throw down his long used tools,
and rest from toll rich man Does not even
the young apprentice think upon the time when
he becomes journeyman, and does not the jour
neyman as eagerly look forward to the time when
he becomes the master, and has shop of his
own All this is caused by laudable ambition
implanted in every honest breast.
1t is perfectly ridiculous for an enmity to exist
between the rich * poor man. suppose itdid what
would become of it, when the poor man himself
became rich as often is the case, as he can be
by industry, perseverance, and economy. Class
es in society are like the wheels in a piece of
machinery, break enc and the rest are deranged,
take one away and you stop the rest-such are
the relations existing between the poor
poor and the rich man. and why should such
beautiful system be destroyed and broken up by
listening to the idle defamation of office seeking
bawlers, who with friendship ever upon their
lips, are endeavoring to build up their own adj
vancement by creating petty animosities between
men who should be like band of brothers ever
ready to help and assist each other. But, re-
member, brother mechanics, that those proud
apologies for men those naughty would be
mighty things, who, because they happened to
have dollar two more than you, would not
notice you in your working dresses, or touch
with their dainty fingers the horny hand of honest
Iabor-remember that they are heartily despised
by all even by those who eat their dinners, and
drink their wines. Then think no honor to
be noticed by them care not a copper for the
smiles of their favor, but assert your own sturdy
Independence, and walk as proud they in the
consciousness of your own worth, honesty, and
manliness. But let me add, take not them for
examples of the rich men, for you will find
many whole soul fellows, many warm hearted
and generous friends among the rich. In your
troubles, go the rich man who has employed you
and knows your integrity of character, and my
word for it, but few will turn you off and refuse
to help you, and all of you have more than once
been grateful for their kindness and favors.
Most of you have your truest and best of friends
among the wealthy, then show these dema-
gogues who wish to separate you, that
In vain they try to make us think,
That honest gains blemish,
Or that because a man has cbink,
His heart is nought but flemish.
For poor and rich are brothers still,
And they who would them sunder,
VIII find that tits the peoples will,
To put such varlets under ION.