Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-04-23
Democratic MEcHAN1cs.-If an exam.

DEMOCRATIC MEoHANIcs.--If an exam
pie were required to prove disnterested
devotion among the people 10 the demo-
cratic institutions OF the country, it may
be found in the conduct of the democratic
mechanics in1hc late Presidential contest.
This powerful body of men, throughout
the Union, were in correspondence with
the democratic association in this city, and
contributed, with great zeal and activity to
spread information, derived from this quar-
ter, through the communities IN which they
lived. and TO extend and enforce the prin-
ciples of the party. We have never seen
n moro energetic spirit Than was displayed
among the mechanics of this city, both in
their correspondence with societies in eve
nv section of the Union, and in the pur-
chase and despatch of documents. Those
who worked all day at their respective
calliugs, gave their nights to incessant eff
forts in promoting the cause. And what
peculiar personal advantage could the
great mass Of these men expect from the
success of their labor2 The time. atten-
ton, and exertion necessary to acquire
skill in the various arts TO which their
lives are dedicated, unfit them for most of
the government offices. They are not
lawyers; and knowledge of the laws is
essential TO the higher functionaries by
whom the laws are administered. They
are not, for the most part, skilled with the
pen and this circumstance is a bar to- the
vast multitude of emPloyments in which
clerkly expertnessi is indispensable. Here.
then, is this great body OF intelligent, in.
dustrious, virtuous class of citizens-as q
class the most virtuous and patriotic in
the country-excluded, for the most part
from the homors and emoluments of of.
flee; and yet they were found in the late
conflict, the most ardent and energetic
and powerful class in conducting it to Q
triumphant result. Nothing can be g;ver
them to compensate their labors. They
are, in the political struggles in the coun
try, as in fighting its battles against TO-
reign enemy, in the truest sense the Siner!
of war. Their courage, strength, skill
and patriotism-their intellectual ant
physical powess, constitute the 5ulwarll o
the republic; but its honors, its favors, ant
its pecuniary rewards, go to other classe
who deserve them less, but prepared bet
ter TO appropriate them.
These considerations should, in our opin
ion, induce the Chief Magistrate 10 make
it an invariable rule whenever an office
comes within the province of mechanic
10 confer it upon one. Whenever the du
ty has reference to construction, and de
ponds on any of the arts in which me
chanical education and capacity are re
quired, mechanic should be appointed t
the ONCE of direction. As the crcum
stances of a peculiar education pnfts tn
artist for almost all the Offices of govern
ment, those adopted to their requirement
should never be conferred on an individu
al of any other class of citizens. The ex
ecutive should seize every occasion, wher
such opportunity offers, to distinguish able
and worthy, and patriotic members of thi
order with the government patronage.
is proper that the arts and mechanic;
skill OF our countrymen should be thu
distinguished by government favor; and
is Just that the disinterested patriotisl
which stimulates such multitudes of labo
ing men to sacrifice their private interes
10 public cause on fields of battle an
at the hustings, should have the evidenc
Of the respect and consideration of ii
government bestowed upon some men
Der of the class whenever it is compat
bic with the nature Of the trust to be
bestowed. [Globe.