Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-10

very glorious ia the midst of the seas" OF
Carriages, that she carried with her from
the mother country, the mechanic arts and
the spirit OF commercial enterprise; OF
VENICE, that she imported the raw ma
terisls OF other nations, and manufactured,
and exported them TO such an amount.
that she became the greatest entrepot oil
the world; OF SPAIN, that she expelled her
manufacturers from the kingdom, aud al
though possessing the most genial climate
Of Europe, suffered loss, from which
she will never recover until they shall
be invited to resume their wonted occu
paions; OF ENGLAND, that in the reign OF
Queen Elizabeth, she made but small
figure in the commercial circles OF Eu.
rope, because she exported her asflculiu-
raj productions, aud received the manu-
faciures of Flanders, aud other countries
in return; of SCOTLAND, than within
century and half, she was as poor as the
most barren heath upon her mountain
tops, but suddenly increased in wealth,
with rapdty slmosi unexampled, by in.
yiting manufacturers to her shores, wao
warmed the frozen life blood Of her trade,
and communicated vitality 10 the slumber-
ing energies Of her people.
Such are tho lessons Of history, and
pregnant, as they are, with the wisdom ef
the past, It is proper that the people Of
Virginia should listen TO their warning
voice, if they desire not TO see Their hopes
of liberty become a mere delusiYe dream
"a barren sceptre-unffutful OF Joy, I'M
productive of glory
| Intimately corrected with this subject
is another, in regard to which, notions
not sufficiently liberal for the age, are but
too prevalen. among portion Of the cit
lzens Q! Virginia. allude to the impor-
lance Of LaBoR--its dignity, and infln-
ence upon the deslinies OF man.
] The recognition Of the true position OF
labor, in the practical operations of soee.
ty, is subject Of vast political infor-
lance. In this country, it is not only an
original, and fundamental, but con,roll-
ing power. From a comparative view Of
its position here, and in Europe, it will
be seen, that new era has dawned, which
assigns it more elevated station, and
secures Tor it truer and Dobler destiny.
Under the iron rule OF the European and
Eastern worlds, it lies PROSTATE in the
dust, irodden down by the mcrciless heel
OF the task master; but here, il has arisen
in its majesty, thrown off the shackles Of
centuries, and sings the inspiring songs Of
freedom. A portion OF the human race
have at length learned, that, while the
mandate Of God to his creature is, "in the
sweat of thy lace, shalt thou eat bread, y
that he Genius of Labor is the Conqueror
the supreme Lawgiver, the born King over
affluent idleness. A portion Of the hu.
man race have at length learned. that
the leaders OF Industry are the great
Captains of the world, and that if there
be no aobieneSs in them, there will never
more be an .draStocracy forever!
In this county, and under our form Of
government, the true position Of man in
society, is not dependent upon the profes
sion he adopts from choice, or from ne.
cessity but is determined by the amour,
of virtue and intelligence he may possess;
and in proportion as be is virtuous and
intelligent, he will occupy station Of hon
or, usefulness, and influence among his
fellow men. A condition Of labor, in
some lawful and useful calling, is one Of
the great essentials Of human happiness,
lorig naling n a fundamental law Of our
nature, and, therefore, necessary not only
for the enjoyment Of health, but for the
very preservation of lite. Man NAV
hope, by cunning devices, ond ing nous
exped'enis, TO escape its gfasp--and for q
short time may elude it but come il will
a. last, and MEMORABLE as it is, with an
accumulated power, from the postpone
ment; or if it come not upon him, in bis
brief day and generation, those thai fol-
low after him, and are "bone oil his bone,
flesh Of his flesh, "will be forced to yield
to its stern behests, and feel the strong
grip Of its iron hand
! OF all the branches of human industry,
there are none more honorabe--none more
productive of useful results--than the va
rious and multiplied employments Of the
Mechanical Arts. An opinion has some
times been expressed that these pursuits
are calculated to bluot the edge OF the
moral sense, and deteriorate the powers
of the mind bu. the history og our own
country will prove how unfounded is the
charge, howialse the conception. Some
of the most glorious events Of that era
we are this day called upon to celebrate,
are associated with the names of men
who rose 10 emnence and distinction IRON
the workshop and the bench. The immor-
tai FRANKLIN abandoned his employ ment
as printer, to chain the arrowy light,
nings Of heaven, and to assist IN forming
the Constitution OF q nation. ROGER
SHERMAN, originally shoemaker, was
one of the most eloquent advocates Of
independence in the Congress Of the Rev
olution, and statesman Of mastery pow
evs. NATHANIEL GREENE, at first
blacksmith, rose to the command Of ar
mics, and by his courage, skin, and saga.
city, won some OF the most important bat
ties in that ever-memorable contest And
if history speaks the truth, the first rally
for Independence was made by the me-
chanics Of the country, whose sinewy
arms, and stalwart frames, were, from
that day, devoted to the glorious cause Of
national redemption.
Tall mn h., ~ "a l. i,