The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-16

lion II will be some days yet before The full result is
known.
MEETING OF MECHANICS AND OTHER
WORKINGMEN OF THE WASHINGTON
ARSENAL.
Al meeting of the Mechanics and Workingmen
of the Washington Arsenal, held at their MEETING
House, on Greepleaf'S Point, on the evening of the
lth inst, the following proceedings were had Mr.
ISAAC S. MILLER was called to the Chair, and
SAMUEL ByiNGroN, Esq, appointed Secretary.
The Committee Of Arrangements, consisting of
Messrs. William T. Stewart, John Peake and VIM.
Ill. Ward, appointed by the workmen to prepare and
present to Mr.. JAMES LAwRENsoN pair Of Silver
Cups, reported that they had procured the articles
designated, and that deputation had proceeded TO
the dwelling Of Mr.. l.. 10 escort him 10 the meeting
Soon afterwards the deputation returned, aud Mr..
Lawrenson was formally introduced to the meeting,
after which Mr. Stewart arose and ADDRESSED him as
follows -
Mn. LAwRENsoN, Sir; have the honor to present
you with this small memento in behalf OF the Mocha
MICS and Worklngmen OF Washington Arsenal, a
token Of their regard for you, for your dsnerested
friendship manifested towards them, in exhibiting be-
fore the public and the Hon. Secretary Of War, the
late cause Tor grievances IN the reduction OF their
pay. This, sir, is almost without parallel in the
history oil the workingman; their passage through
lie is almost one continued scene of aggravaton and
grievance; they look around in vain for master
mind to advocate their cause, but their influence is
too insignificant, their interest of too small mpor
tance they are left, sir, unheeded and uncared for
by the mighty But this single instance of your STEP
ping forth unasked and unsought for and using your
Influence and welding your pen in their BEHALF has
awakened new energies within them; they begin to
feel that they not entirely abandoned.
And let me tell you sir, the interest you have man
Tested in their behalf will cause your name to be
graved upon their hearts so deeply that time itself
cannot oblilerate it. And while being thus highly
esteemed by the workingmen, may your passage
through life be one of continued enjoyment without
one solitary instance of grievance TO mar your peace,
and when done with time, may not only the marble
point the stranger to the workiDgman's friend, but
may monument be erected in the bosom of every
workngman that shall tell this story through all gen
eratons, and cause many to follow IN your footsteps
In befriending the workingman.
To which Mr.. Lawrenson made the following re-
ply
The kind sentiments which you have just express
ed, accompanied by such valuable testimonial of
regard from the mechanics and workingmen of the
WASHINGTON ARSENAL demand my particular ac-
such, indeed, | have now no
words to express. You have been pleased, sir, to
make reference to my humble advocacy of the rights
OF the woI kingmen. Reared, as was, in the midst
of the mechanics of Baltimore; witnessing from day
to day the surprising developn ents OF their skill and
observing from early boyhood the regula-
rty of their lives and exemplary Characteristic con-
tentment and domestic bliss which prevailed in al
most every house-how, sir, could it be otherwise
than that all my feelings and all my interests should
be identified with theirs. How sir, could it be other
wise than that from the bottom of my soul should
exclaim, This people shall! be people and their God
my God" (Appause.)
Long-very long, have | entertained the opinion
that the operatives of our highly favored America
have been too well content to reliuquish many of
their rights AID privileges, too well satisfied with
subordinate degree in the scale Of society and conse
lnxUar nf in he Tom nj nt
Freedom than designed for them by the Su-
preme Architect Of the Universe. Hence we have
witnessed the eagerness with which some political as
plranl-some beardess youth press their way to the
highest seats of honor and distinction, predIcatng
their claims upon their exalted professional acquire
mems, to the exclusion of practical men, ps-
sessng clear heads and sound hearts, whose
perience alone would render their services nvalu-
able to the Legislative Departments of their
Try. How frequently have we heard the pledge,
Oh party politicians reiterated TO sustain the IN
lerests of the workingmen' what variety of pre-
texts have been offered and high sounding professions
'weeily sung in the ear-what attractive names have
been appended to parties to win the support Of the
working classes Of society," All these have succeed
ed too well the operatives have yielded cordial
support and they have been disappointed. The de-
'elopmenis in the history of our country the wide
and rapidly extending fields opened before them and
Inc proportionale calls for labor and enterprise which
already exist and must increase clearly indicate to
Inc working classes that the time has arrived when
they should arouse to sense of their own impor
lance in society, and exert legitimate influence
throughout the length and breadth OF this Eden OF the
world. Regulating all party dictaon, severlng the
lies which have TOO long bound them to party disci-
PINE let us have entire ne,c party
Let the independent workingmen OF America
aunch ship on the political ocean-new inside
aud outside from the truck 10 the keson and on a
lew flag flying riumphantly from the royal mast head,
et the motto be Inscribed in glowing capitals, HE
INDEPENDENT WoRKNGMEN's PARTY" ltireat APP
Dlause Let this be the watchword IN every county
Of every State-in every ward Of every city APP
plause.l Infinite wisdom has pronounced man 10 be
working being-a workingmen's party, thsn, is
ounded in the very principle of our nature. Take
retrospect view of the parties which have existed,
md ourished and faded, and died. and been forgot
en- within the last hundred years. WIZ The parties
,i the present day be more permanent IN their dura
ion | already hear response in the negative
Not so, however, the worklngmens party Com
posed of men welding every implement OF industry;
embracing within its limits the tlers of the SOIL the
practical mechanic, the day laborer; recognizing as
Is the youth sprung from the depths OF virtuous
poverty, and the young man reared under more layo-
able circumstances; new incentives would be offered
or intellectual mprovement-laten talent would be
wisdom and experience of the senior 1
members in every section would operate the great
balance wheels and the party would establish itself
Ipon a basis so firm, that it would not only subsst
md flourish but endure to the end of time fGreat
'pplause.] Let us imagine for moment that such |
party is organized in every city and town OF this
Union. Should we witness instances Of contumely |
md usolence from those having little brief suthor-
ty and decorated with the plumage Of official rank |
owards the humble aborerl No, sirs the import |
,nce, the supremacy Of that mans party would throw
is egis around him, and their frown would sink the
iespicable being into nsigniicance Enthusiastic
applause Should we ever hear of suggestions based
Ipon false promises and for purposes of personal ag
f,,lf H.. h,,.l
vorkingman No indeed-a mission to the plains Of |
X amschatka would be preferred. Renewed and con- |
inued applause. Would our ears ever be panied
With oppressive orders TO wiring from the brow of in
lustry the last drop of sweat, whilst nsolent and IN
udlcous officers, holding the merest snecures under
L. strrto and a.