New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-07

/ physical Improvement, from the Ouiiu--e
| mons Terusle, down, through the lapse Oh years
! TO the last ship that was iauncheo' are 100 aPPa
rem, to require word OF comment. And II we
will obserye closely it viii be quite as apparent
,bo, ;,,.llec,ual and moral movements are equally
depeoden, upon the same priaciPle.
The fact OF cur being mechanics, engaged In the
various useful and industrial pursuits, gives Us IN
| this respect sort Of union in aim and purpose.
| We severally wish to improve the arts OF lie, In
vent new contrvances fer lessenihg the drudgery
of toll and quckening the power OF production
| Our position is thus rendered favorable for more
perfect and beneficial union for all the purposes
| we wish to accomplish in life. Are we deslrous
of improving the arts-elevatlng the social condi-
ton OF maa-arousing the mental energles-1n-
crea.ng in scientific attainments-or cultlvaung
| the beart The readiest means OF doing either,
or all of them, is BY assocating for the purpose,
and bringing together, to bear upon one point the
collective, concentrated power of all Here may
be ono mind bold in projecting, but to be efficient
needing that the plan should be moulded isto work
ing order by the more cautious and discriminating
| mind. TO be found elsewhere. And indeed. 10
secure the greatest success we may suppose the
entire various and collective wisdom OF the whole
NAV be precisely the condition required. Solomon
| had the outline Of the temple IN his mind, but he
needed Hiram, the widows son, as architect, Luz
| bal Cain for worker in metals, and his masters
and craftsmen to carry out this plan TO completion.
! So we NAV indvidu ally have the outRe of what
| is desirable to accomplish at the present time m
improving and elcveting the intellectual and social
condition of mechanics, but this can best and per-
| haps only, be accomplished by combination OF
our powers in associated efforts. he trIumPhs
that have already been realized from associations
among mechanics. imperfect as those associations
| L.. cnQ III,
| have thus become better acquainted with each
other. and closer fellowship has been encouraged
| They have become more conscious OF their wants,
and better able to provide for them. They are
more deeply impressed with their duties, personal
| and social, and engage with greater zeal IN dis
| charging them. They realize the advantages OF
the mutual aid they receive and imPart, and pos
scss keencr relish for their enlargement. 1t is
this power of association well applied by meehan-
| les to high and noble ends, that is destined to
break up and demosh the prson-housc of the soul,
set the mind free, enlarged and ennobled, and to
work out a higher and better condition in the
character Of human society. Wha, would be the
state of our holy region-what the intellectual
character Of our PEG plc-what the political condi-
ton of our country-and what the prospects OF
the world, it, in all that affects these, the princi-
pies Of association should be abandoned7 Depio-
labie indeed. We find, then, this potent nstru-
ment living in our path, and cease TO be true
men if we ncgec to use it and extend 1t to every
village in our State. Wherever there are mechan-
ics-whcrever intelligent laborefs arc collected
together, there should grow up at once mechanic
association for mental Improvement, for an en-
largement Of good learning and the blessings OF
social elevation.
The best manner OF conducting such associations
is probably yet unknown. This must be ascertain
ed by experience. Enough is known, however,
from what experience we have already acquired to
satisfy us of the utility of frequent and regular
meetings. for the consideration of subjects affecting
our vital intorests-for debates, lectures, reading
of essays, and for conversations. In this way the
whole body, in time, acquire more or less OF the
knowledge Of each, and the separate and scattered
grains Of wisdom become the common property
of all. False notions are thus exploded-bitter
prejudiccs removed, and his her intellectual moral
and social standard is found The exercises at
these meetings should uneuestionably be directed
10 the practical and the useful-the enlargement Of
science and its general extension among all the
members. The ecture-room of the mechanic as
ISOLATION should be to mechanics what lecture
room of college is to the students in attendance
Courses of lectures should be as systematic and
the instructions tend as directly to certain end
We do no, yet know what happy influences may be
derived from fervent cooperation and strong as
ISOLATION, in which each member has something to
do, and in which he can become intensely interest
ed, as without this, his passive attendance At the
meetings will be of little personal advantage to him.
self An active participation in tRe exercises will
be foSnd strong incentive to aproper interest and
appreciation Of the objects of an association and
TO those salutary ends which it may accomplish
1t may be thong ht quite too late In the day to
urge arguments in favor of association among me-
chanics for the purpose of advancing true know
ledge among them. But how happens it, that
where they are formed so few, comparatively, in
terest themselves in the matter, or even become
members! Would this be if the whole mass
were thoroughly impressed with the importance,
utility and force of association and active partci-
pation7 Most certainly not.
The fact probably is, that there is not only in
difference, but also downright prejudice against
these associations, and these must be removed, be-
fore we can expect that general, enlarged and
hearty cooperation will take place to extend the
empire of mind over matter, and to act for the
good of others in seeking welfare By a
warm and hearty association mechanics can collect
the scattering rays of light in individuals, and
centrate them into rcigning and radiant orbs, that
shall Hume society 10 It's widest range and pro-
founaest depths.
The establishment OF libraries for the use of me-
chancs is another improvement. 1t is unnecessary
introduce argument here in favor of libraries
of we-seected books. Their utility is apparent,
and has so long been so, tina, the wonder is, why
mechanics have not long since felt the importance
of the subject, and made ample provision for fur
nishing themselves with necessary means of
cultivation. 1t cannot be supposed that each me-
chanic can have at his command private library
sufficiently extensive for supplying his scientific
literary and moral waSts and of course hc msst
unte with others in tina establishment of such
library, and this can best be done by general as
secia,ion, the importance Of which VIC have al