Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-03

EttractSf from the !tILO American.
MECHANICS AND THEIR RIGHTS.
1--WE intend to advocate the rights Of
the operatives of the country, and their
claims TO consideration, but we intend to do
it in no unkindIy spirit towards others. We
shall not be misled by either envy or lea
lousy, neither will we f1atter prejudice or
bow TO pride, whether it be found among
those whose cause we advocate or anon
others. We only claim that al who are
Of service to society, shall he treated with
; that mead of honor, that their services
should command. We claim that worth
and talent should be properly appreciated,
and duly respected, whether found in the
Workshop, the field or the forest; on the
bench, at the bar, or in the pulpit. None
can say, that the American mechanic or
farmer, has not always reverenced both
worth and talent, when found among the
learned professions; and each is now about
TO claim, that those of his caste may meet
with the respect their worth and services
should demand.
" 1t is well known that labor has been
looked upon for years back, as somewhat
degrading, and that too in this country,
where the most learned are the defendants
and relatives Of mechanics and farmers,
and where many of them are or have been
both. Yet SO il is, and all know that wo-
men are generally anxious to inerma:ry
with those who are members of professions,
no matter what may be their talents their
tcmpers or their prospects, considering
themselves then placed among the aristo-
cracy OF the country. Aristocracy in
Republic! Does not this sound strange!
But yet, is it not true? Were it an aristo-
cracy of talent and worth, we might be
proud Of it, but an aristocracy Of profess
sons, based upon the possession of piece
OF parchment that may be obtained with
out the exercise of talent or Of industry,
without the reputation ofworth or learning,
is more contemplate than the aristocracy
of the proud but beggarly Spaniard, who
will sarve and steal rather than labor, be-
cause he is forsooth noble, and if he comes
TO be hanged, is allowed the privilege Of
the siken cord"
"All men have time TO spare for menta,
improvement, and every man will feel that
this is so, if he will devote his moments Of
solitude to reflection instead of dreaming.
The mechanic and the farmer, can each
Of them improve themselves both with and
without book learning, can make them
selves men Of thought, and that once done,
they will soon find words to convey their
thoughts to others. 1t is from the fulness
of he heart that the mouth speaketh, and
he who chooses to deliver to others what
he has we'll thought over, will be brief, en-
crgetic and convincing.
Think then, and you can all speak,
Speak after having thought, and you will
soon find that the wordy and windy speech
es of the day, are as nothing even to your
own. You will find that though can make
the mechanic a nd the farmer more efficient
than superficial knowledge, and wordy ex-
ercse have ever made the lawyer. With
the weapon Of thought. you can pull down
every inequality between classes, as rea-
Oily as your fathers pulled down that be-
tween this and the mother country. Talent
is not wanting among you. Prudence is
not wanting, moderation is not wanting.
Thought, determination, high resolve, cou-
rage amid obstacles, you must make your
own, and then men will be judged as they
should be. Ii will not then be , question
Of where was he educated? Where are
the proofs Of his knowledge? How has
he used tl Whom has it bencftedl Men
will not cavil because you have made your
selves men over the forge or the plough,
but they will look coldIy upon those who
with every advantage, have allowed them
selves to be out-stripped in the race of use
full knowledge by the working man the me-
chanic and the farmer.