The Arkansas banner., 1845-06-18
MECHANICS, MEETING

|
 retary.
 MT. Walker, from the committee, appon- ted for the purpose, at the first meeting, pre-
 scented n Report, embracing preamble and
 resolutions, expressive of the sense of the
 meeting, and recommending the measures
 proper to be adopted, in furtherance of the
 views and purposes of the Mechanics oi Llt-
 tie Rock. This Report was explained and
 advocated by Mir. Walker, in few remarks,
 characterized by much practical good sense,
 and honest zeal. And, when the vote was
 taken, was adopted unanimously.
 After the adoption of the Report, the Sem
 for Editor of the Banner was called for, and
 requested to give an expression ot hls opln- ions. Whereupon, he addressed the mee- ting, for short time; taking the Report as his theme, and enlarging upon, and enforcing, its positions. He said that he was not, in hIs own person, a practical mechanic; but that he was actively, and somewhat exten- sively, engaged in mechanical pursuits and, although not performing the operative part of giving constant employment, he believed, to as many operative mechanics, as any man in the City-perhaps to more He, therefore, even as matter of direct personal interest, felt deeply concerned for the success, and prosperity, of the mechanic arts of this city i; and as means of insuring that success, and promoting that prosperity, he was equally concerned in elevating the character of me- ehanics, not only by securing to them fair pc cuniary compensation for their labor, but by inlusing into their minds proper sense of self-respeet, and inspiring them with due estimate oftheirimportance, both as indivdu- als, and as a class, in society. He depreca- ted and condemned that narrow selfshness, which tainted the minds of some, in all trades and professions, with the belief that the different pursuits of life were antagoni- zng in interest; and Ee sought 10 shew that no one branch of business, however dis similar from another, had an intirely sepa- rate, much less an opposing, interest; but that the interest of each, following its own particular line, and tending to its own pecu- liar end, was yet either parallel, or concen- tric, with every other-and all, like the heav- enly bodies, moving in their appropriate spheres, working harmoniously together for good. He took the additional ground that. in each and every pursuit of life, .Union is strength" And, upon this, he based an ar gument in favor of immediate, determined, and persevering action, under the Resolution which had been adopted, for the formation of "The Mechanics Association of Little Rock" "Union''-not against the interest of any other class in society; but ''unono to give proper elevation 10 the character of Me- chancs, and due weight to their importance and influence in the community, of which they form so large and useful class. He particularly urged that the ''ball," now ssput in motion," should not be suffered to rest for moment; but should be kept rolling on- ward, until 1t had crushed and broken down all unjust obstacles and unfair opposition.- In this connexion, he called attention to the fact that, 10 attain the more special object for which these meetings had been called-to change the labor of the convicts in the Pen l'ehtIary, so as to prevent their unjust and  ruinous competition with the Mechanics of the city and country, at the same time that 1t itwould not be less profitable to the State,- that to attain this object, it was necessary to operate through the next elections of mem bers ot the Legislature, so that the next ses sion would make the desired change. and thus remove the oppression complained of. IL is doubtful, he thought, whether, after the late Legislature had failed to act in the mat ter, the Inspectors of the Penitentiary had the power to make the change. But wheth- CT they had the power or not, one thing was certain-they had not the mcans To make such change, machinery and stock, which would cost several thousand dollars, were indispensable This money was not in hand and there was no appropriation from which it could be raised The only way, then, which promised success, was to operate on the public mind, by facts and arguments, showing the justice and the nc!;cy of the proposed treasure, and let the members of the next Legislature come to the Capitol, vir- tually, if not actually, instructed to accom- plish 1t. He had no doubt but that this could be done All that was required were deter imitation, activity, and perseverance. Bring the question to bear on the next elections particularly in this county-make it the du- ty of our county representatives to present It 10 the Legislature, and not merely give it a aluke-warm, but an earnest, perseverng and unremittlng support and advocacy. This, he had no doubt, would ensure success ; for the people, and the peoples representatives, are just, right-minded, and alive to the true interests of the State. Present them with the real merits of tbiS case ,nd tboro l., ,,