Mississippi Democrat., 1845-04-23
DrnocnArrc MEcHANIca.--lfan an exam


pie were required 70 prove dlsnlerested
/. devotion among the people 10 the demo-
cratic institutions Of the country, il may
be found in the conduct Of the democratic
mechanics in the laie Presidential contest.
This powerful body Of men, throughout
the Union, we're 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 10 extend and enforce the prin-
ciplcs Of the party. We have never seen
a more energetic spirit than was displayed
among the mechanics of this city, both in
their correspondence with societies in eve
ry section Of the Union, and in the pur-
chase and despatch of documents. Those
who worked all day at their respective
callings, gave their nights to incessant ef-
forts in promoting the cause. And what
peculiar personal advantage could the
great mass Of these men expect from the
success of their labor? 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 10 the higher functionaries by
whom the laws are administered. They
are not, for the most part, skilled with the
pen and this circumstance is bar to the
vast multitude Of emplcyments in which
clerkly expertness is indispensable. Here,
then, is this great body OF intelligent, in
dustrious, virtuous class Of citizens-as
class the most virDus and patriotic in
the country--excuded, for the most part,
from the homors and emouments of Of
fee; and yet they were found in the late
conflict, the most ardent and energetic
and powerful class in conducting it to a
triumphant result. Nothing can be given
them to compensate their abors. They
are, in the political struggles in the coun-
try, as in fighting its battles against TO-
reign enemy, in the truest sense the Siners
of mar. Their courage, strength, skill,
and patriotism-their intellectual and
physical powess, constitute the 5ulwark of
the republic; but its honors, its favors, and
its pecuniary rewards, go to other classes
who deserve them less, but prepared bet
ter 10 appropriate them.
These considerations should, in our opin-
ion, induce The Chief Magistrate 10 make
il an invariable rule whenever an office
comes within the province of mechanic,
to confer il upon one. Whenever the du-
iy has reference TO construction, and de-
pends on any of the arts in which me-
chanical education and capacity are re-
quired, a mechanic should be appointed to
the ONCE of direction. As the circum-
stances of a peculiar education units the
artist for almost all the Offices of govern
ment, those adopted to their requirements
should never be conferred ON an individu.
al Of any other class Of citizens. The ex-
ecutiye should seize every occasion, where
such opportunity offers, to distinguish able,
and worthy, and patriotic members of this
order with the government patronage. 1t
is proper that the arts and mechanical
skill OF our countrymen should be thus
distinguished by government favor; and it
is just that the disnterested patriotism
which stimulates such muliitudes of labor
ing men 10 sacrifice their private Interests
10 a public cause ON fields of battle and
at the hustings, should have the evidence
Of the respect and consideration of the
government bestowed upon some mem.
Der of the class whenever it is compati-
be with the nature Of the trust to be SO
bestowed. Globe.