Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-08-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
RESPECT FOR MECHANICS

tice proves that they submit to the opera.
tion of the political theory only because
they cannot help it; but il is also true thai
they constitute a very small numerical
minority, insignificant as compated with
the vast number of those having equally
good reason 10 assume 10 themselves SUI
periority of worth, and hence 10 argue
their right 10 special privileges, but whose
private feelings and social practices are in
exact conformity with that theory of poll
lical equality which lies at the base of our
national republican fabric, aud gives vital.
lty, force, virtue, and efficiency 10 our sys-
lem Of government. The former reduce
the principle 10 practice only llleir po-
litical capacity; they do il er necessilate
r'i, and ofcourse reluctantly though they
not unfrequently find it necessary as mat
Ter of good temporary policy, 10 appear to
do it willingly, and then they put good
face upon The malter;" the latter acting in
the same civil sphere. do no violence 10
their feelings. They simply obey the
promptings of cardinal principle in our
Republican code Of political ethics, and
they carry 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.
tuled SC ass" and they are ofthal kind
who III making DIP their estimate Of the in-
dividual man, reject the accidents of birth,
as well as those Of either wealth or power
ty, and make his moral aud intellectual
worth, as seen in his conduct and deyel-
oped i'll his conversation. the chief elements
in their calculation. .Fhe5 are also 10 be
found in every walk Of life, public and pfi-
vale. Wealth cannot destroy The good
principle in some, nor elevated public sta
tions in others. AZ illustration is before
US; MIR. Buchanan Of Pennsylvania, re-
Gently, il appears, addressed letter to
the editor ofIhe Newark Post, authorizing
him TO contradict some statement made at
that place prejudicial 10 his character.
What was said against him we know not,
nor have we seen his letter, but from The
following extract, which we find in CO.
temporary journal, it would appear that he
lad been charged with saying or doing
something disparaging to lbe character,
and preJudlcial TO the interests Of the me-
chanics. He says:
$50 lar from having ever said or thought
any thing 10 The prejudice Of mechanics,
ono oil my nearest and dearest relatives,
upon my urgent advice, was bound ain ap-
prentice TO trade, and is at The present
moment mechanic {; and this was q mat
ter oi choice, not necessity. have thus
afforded The strongest practical evidence Of
The estimation in which hold this highly
merllorlous class of our fellow citizens"
Good practical evidence" this; I'M
doubtedly as good as any man could
give who was loo far advanced in life 10
learn trade himself. There was no false
PRIDE or vanity, but good sense, sound
Judgment,and correct principle. His young
relative, nearest and Dearest" was under
no present ntnecessity TO learn mechanical
trade that he nigh, get q living, YET by
his advice he IS now practical mechanic,
instead of studying proressioh," and
tlatierIng himself with The deusive idea
thai therefore the future had in store for
him far higher degree and order OF re.
spectabiity Than could possibly be derived
from the labors Of the workshop. If there
be any Thing in elevated and honorable
public station desirable, as there appears
10 be, or any thing calculated 10 promote
The true happiness ofihe incumbent, which
is doubtful, !, may YET be his, even though
he had spent his early years in q lawyers
Office, reading "the perfection of human
reason and dreaming of his future eleva
lion 10 +" the highest office in the gift Of the
people,"
And why moi I Is there any h; thing in the
occupation Of the mechanic to disqualify
him for political elevation? Nothing, in
this country. Or for social elevation ? No
thing. The history Of the country gives
copOus evidence that the mechanic may
render himself competent 10 discharge the
duties oflhe highest and most important
public stations with credit and honor Ia
himself and benefit TO his country; while
tile annals Of private life most abundantly
testify to his competency to make himsei
equal 10 any and inleriorso none in all the
quailles that render the social circle agree
able TO tho wise and good. The Ameri
can mechanic ought, therefore 10 be prout
of his occupation always-never ashamed
Of il. 1.-The will estimate it as inferior Il
no other, and so cultivate his mind ant
his moral system, that he may rise to ,h'
honorable level oft. and never fall he
meath il, he will not long have TO complain
of want of respect on the part Of lhos,
who have been wont to arrogate TO thei
own spheres monopoly ofrespectability
aud TO look with contempt upon The occu
patton of the mechanic. Baltimore Sun:
Found Guilty-En the case Of Rev. MI
Fairchiid, accused ofthe seduction Of Rhod
Davidson, the Ecclesiastical Council, sit.in
al Exeter, have brought in verdict {
guilty. contemporary says, these case
Of clerical delinquency are Increasing
number lately tota fearful extent, aud Tie