Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-08-23
WHOLE NO. 1877.
RESPECT FoR MECHANICS.

country OF civil equailtys whose SOClaA
practice proves that they submit to the op..
Grafton OF the political theory only because
they cannot help it; but i. is also true that
they constitute very small numerical mis-
nority, Insignificant as compared with the
vast number of those having equally good
reason 10 assume 10 themselves superb,
ori.y of worth. and hence to argue their
right TO specia! privileges. but whose pri-
vate feelings and social practices are in
exact conformity with that theory Of polit-
ical equality which lies at the base Of our
national republican fabric, and gives vital
iiy, force, virtue. and efficiency 10 our
system Of government. The former re-
duce the principle TO practice only in their
political capacity; they do it ex necessi.
tate rel, and of course reluctantly. though
they not un(requently find it necessary as
a matter Of good temporary policy, to app
pear TO do it willingly, and then they put
a good face upon the matter;' the latter
acting in the same civil sphere, do no VIZ
olence 10 their feelings. They simply o.
hey the promp.iags of cardinal principle
in our Republican code of political ethics.
and they carry it with them out Of the
public ways into the walks of private life.
These are to be found in all parties,
though not in every clique, or self-consti.
tuted class; and they are of that kind
who in making up their estimate of the
individual man. reject the accidents OF
birth, as we'll as those of either wealth OF
poverty. and make his moral and in.elec-
- H.. onoI,,of nd do.
veloped in his conversation, the chief ele.
ments in their calculation. They are al
SO 10 be found in every walk of life. pub
lie and private. Wealth cannot destroy
the good principle in some, nor elevated
public stations in others. An illustration
is before US Mr.. Buchanan of Pennsyl-
vania, recently, it appears. addressed
letter to the editor of the Newark Post,
authorizing him 10 contradict some state-
ment made at that place prejudicial TO his
character. What was said against him
we know not, nor have we seen his letter,
but from the following extract, which we
find tn a contemporary journal, it would
appear that he had been charged with say
ing or doing something disparaging TO the
IL
Of mechanics. He says:
$50 far from having ever said or thot'
any thing 10 the prejudice Of mechanics.
one Of my nearest and dearest relatives,
upon my urgent advice, was bound an ap-
prentice 10 trade. and is at the present
moment mechanic and this was a mat
ter Of choice, not necessity. | have thus
afforded the strongest practical evidence
of the estimation in which l hold this
highly meritorious class of our fellow cit
izens.'
Good practical evidence this; un.
doubted.y as good as any man could give
who was too far advanced in life to learn
trade himself. There was no false pride
or vanity, but good sense, sound judg-
ment, and correct principle. His young
.via.lvc, ucaI1os and rA---..A,' -v~s Esss.ser
no present necessity to learn mechanic
cal trade that he might get a living, yet by
his advice he is now practical mechanic.
instead of studying profession. and
lattering himself with tho delusive idea
that therefore the future had in store for
him far higher degree and order Of re-
spec.ability than could possibly be derived
from the labors Of the workshop. If.here
be any thing in elevated and honorable.
public station desirable, as there appears
10 be, or any thing calculated to promote
the true happiness Of the incumbent.
which is doubtful, il may yet be his, ear
" wears in lawyers Office, reading the
perfection Of human reason and dream
| ing of his future elevation to the highest
Office in the gift Of the people.
And why not! Is there any thing in.
The occupation Of the mechanic to disqual-
ify him for political elevation Nothing.
in this country. Or for social elevation!
| Nothing. The history Of the country
gives copious evidence that the mechanic
NAV render himself competent to discharge
the duties of the highest and most impor-
tant public stations with credit and honor
TO himself and benefit to his country !;
while the annals Of privata life most a
bundantly testify 10 his competency TO
make himself equal TO any and inferior to
none in all the qualities that render the
soc;al circle agreeable 20 the wise and
GOOD. The American mechanic ought,
therefore, 10 be proud OF his occupation
alwavs-never ashamed it. If he will
estimate it is inferior to no other, and 30
} cultivate his mind and his moral system.
tina. he may rise to the honorable level OF
} Il. and never fall beneath it. he Will nos
long have 10 complain Of want Of re-
spect on the part Of those who have been
wont to arrocate to their own spheres Z
. monopoly Of responsibility. and 70 loos
} with contempt upon the occupation OF the
, mechanic. Baltimore Sun. sas