The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-23
From the Baltimore Sun.
RESPECTS FOR MECHANICS.

RESPECTS FOR MECHANICS.
1t is true that there are those in thi:
country Of civil equality, whose socia
practice proves that they submit to tht
operation OF the political theory only
because they cannot help it; but it i!
also true that they constitute very
numerical minority, insignificant as
compared with the vast number o
those having equally good reason tc
assume to themselves Il superiority OF
worth, and hence to argue their right
to special privileges, but whose pri
vate feelings and social practices ART
in exact conformity with that theory
of political equality, which lies at the
base ofour national republican fabric
and gives vitality, force, virtue and
efficiency to our system Of Govern.
ment. The former reduce the princi.
pie to practice only in their political
capacity; they do it &c ncceMtate rel.
and of course reluctantly, though they
not unfrequently find it necessary as a
matter of good temporary policy, to ap-
pear to do it willingIy,and then they put
ga good face upon the matter;" the
latter acting in the same civil sphere,
do no violence to their feelings. They
simply obey the promptings of a cor
dial principle in our republican code
ofpolitical 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 con-
stituted "class;" and they are Of that
kind who in making up their estimate
ofthe individual man, reject the acci-
deuts Of birth, as wellas those of either
wealth or poverty. and make his moral
and intellectual worth, as seen in his
conduct and developed in converse
ton, the chief elements in their calcu-
lation. They are also to be found in
every walk life, public and private.
Wealth cannot destroy the good prin-
cip!e in some, nor elevated public sta
ton in others. An illustration is before
us: Mr.. Buchanan, Of Pennsylvania, re-
Gently, it appears, addressed letter
to the editor Of the Newark Post, au-
thorizing him to 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 fromthe following extract
which we find in cotemporary jour
nal, it would appear that he had been
charged with saying or doing something
disparaging to the character and preju-
dicia' 10 the interests Of mechanics.-
He says:
$50 far from having ever said or
thought any thing to the prejudice Of
mcchanics, one ofmy nearest and dear
ost relatives. upon my urgent advice,
was boun;! an apprentice to a trade,
and is at the present moment mechan.
ic; and this was matter Of choice,
not necessity. ] have thus afforded the
strongest practical evidence in which
iold this highly mcritorious class Of our
elbow citizens"
''Good practical evidence" this, un-
loubtediy as good as any man could
1--WE who was too far advanced in life
o learn a trade himself. There was
10 false pride oil vanity. lut good sense,
ound judgment and correct principle.
lis young relative, "nearest and dear
ST. was under no present necessity
. learn a mechanical trade that he
night get living, yet by his advice |
le is now practical mechanic instead
# studying profession, and hattering |
himself with the delusive idea that +
therefore, the future had in store for ,
i'm far higher degree and order of :,
espectabillty than could posi- {
~ be derived from the labors Of the c
workshop. If there be any thing in
levated and honorable public station
esirable, as there appears to be, or k
ny thing calculated to promote the d
rue happiness orihc incumbent, which 1t
doubtful, it may yet be his, even as 5
loagh he had spent his early years in Il
lawyers Office, reading ''lhe perfec- t
Ionof human reason" and dreaming of II
is future elevation to "the highest Of n
ce in the gift of the people, a
And why not? Is there any thing h
/ the occupation of the mechanic to d