Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-04-11
From the Globe.
DEMOCRATIC MECHANICS.

From the Globe
DEMOCRATIC MECHANICS.
If an example were required To prove
dislnteres,ed devotion among the people
to the democratic institutions of the coun-
try, it may be found in the conduct Of The
democratic mechanics in the late preSden-
tiat contest. This powerful body of men.
throughout the Union. were in correspon-
dtnce with the democratic association in
this city. and contributed with grea, zeal
and activity to spread information, derived
from this quarter. through the communities
III which they lived. and to extend and en-
force the prnci pies Of the party. We have
never seen more energetic spirit than
was displayed among the mechanics of,his
city. both in their correspondence with
societies In every section of the Union,
and III the purchase and desnatch of doru-
menls. Those who worked all dav in
their respective calings. gave their lights
TO incessant eff'r, in promoting the cause.
And what peculiar personal advantage
could the great mass OF these men expect
from the success Of ;heir labor? The time,
attention. and exertion necessary to acquire
skill in the varinus arts To which their lives
are dedicated. unfit them for most Of the
government Offices. They are no, lawyers;
and knowledge Of the law is essential to
the higher tunctionaries by whom the law
is administered. They gre not. for tn"
most part, skilled with the pen: and this
circumstance is bar to the vast multitude
Of employments in which clerkIy expert
ness is indispensable. Here, then, is this
great body of intelligent. industrious. vir-
,uous class Of citlzens-as class the most
virluOus and patriotic in the country-ex-
cIuded. tor the most part, from the honnrs
and emoIuments of office and yet they
were found, in the conflict, the most ardent
and energetic and powerful class in con-
ducting it TO a triumphant result. Moth
ing can be given to them to compensate
! their laoors. They are, in the political
struggles Of the country, as i'll fighting IT'S
battles against foreign enemy. in the ,ru-
est sense the sinews Of war. Their conr-
age. strength. skill. and patriotsm-their
intellectual and physical powers, con>ti-
tu,e the buwark Of the republic but its
honors, its favors. aad its pecuniarv re-
wards. GO to other classes who deserve
them less, bu, prepare better to appropri-
ate them.
These considerations should, in our o.
|
make it m invariable rule whenever an of
fee comes within the province ola mechan'
to confer it upon one. Whenever the dn-
" has reference to construction. and de-
ponds on any of tie arts in which mechani-
cal education and capacity are requ'red'
mechanic should be appointed TO the office
Of direction. A. the circumstance OF Pc
culiar education units the artist for aImos
all the offices of government, those adapted
10 the requirements should never be con
ferred on ali individual of any other elias.
of ciuzens. The executive should seize
every occasion. where such OpportnnIt.
offers, to distinguish able, and worthy, ant
patriotic members of this order with The
government patronage. 1t is proper tina
the arts and mechanical skill of our conn
lrymen should he thus distinguished b,
government favor and it is just that tht
disinleresled patriotism which stimulate:
, such muititndes Of Iaboring men to- saeri
f fee thei" private interests to spuhflc cause
on fields of battle and at the hust!ngs
should have the evidence of the respec
aud consideration of the government be
slowed upon some member of the clas
whenever it is compatible with the nature
Of the trust to be so bestowed.