Holly Springs gazette., 1845-08-23
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..


We notice that certain persons have been
particularly engaged of late, in sly and un-
manly attempts to prejudice certain classes
fthe people against our Mechanics AsSoci-
tion, by wilfully and knowingly misrepre-
senling the objects of its formation. These
men, some of whom have failed to initiate
themselves into the good graces ofthe me-
chanics, by putting on two faces, are going
about endeavoring to create the impression,
especially among the farmers, that the AS.
sociation is aiming to increase the burdens
of the people in the way of taxes, and that
it is our settled policy TO elevate the present
rate oftaxaton in order to carry out our OBJ
jects. These representations we pronounce
false, because we can see no necessity for
such increase of taxes and in this opin-
ion We are sustained by Gov Brown in his
letter to the mechanics, in which he de-
cIares himself to be with us in 'desi-
convict system. We believe the instl-
tuition itself can be made to defray the
expenses of the proposed changes; and, with
| good management, there could certainly be
no necessity of making any addition to the
present revenue law to meet them. Even
lift should be found necessary to draw on
the treasury of the state to effect said
change, still, an additional imposition o
taxes need not be consequence; because
the proceeds Of convict labor, after such
change. under right direction. might soor
replace the sum so drawn; for the marke
prices for bagging, rope. coarse cottons
&c., are more uniform, and the demand Il
much greater than for such things as ar,
now manufactured in the penitentiary.-
This is an important fact to all classes o
the commu lity. when we consider that the
present system has, until very recently
been an expense to the state. But we for
bear further remarks at present, as We de-
sire TO call the particular attention of the
planters TO the following extract, (showine
that such change would be to their in
; terests also,) which we copy from the re-
port of the joint sanding committee on ths
penitentiary. made to the last legislature
, Let every planter read the extract.
"The loud complaints of the mechanical
portion of our community are well founded
The subject is one which involves not only
sustenance but reputation and the relative
respec:a biIty of their several occupations
as no earthly power can prevent the acces
sion of many of these convicts. when dis
charged from their penal confinement, to
the occupations and workshops Of industri-
-ous honored and uDimpeached citizens-
thus lowering the respectability of these use.
full empoyments, aud almost irresistibly
connecting the idea of state prison gradua-
tion with all mechanical pursuits The
mechanic certainly can have no salifaction
in the reflection that what be has achived
by long years of moral. reputable honesty.
and laborious apprenticeship, should be as
readily attained by an early course of in
fanny. and the ignoble punishment conse-
quent upon the violation of law, and the
outrage of all that is honorable and praise
worthy among men.
Il becomes under all the circumstances
Of the case, a serious question whether the
Penitentiary establishments, as carried on
in this and many other States. are not par
tally subversive of The social republican
ism Of the country. There is. indeed, ,foun-
dat ion for the fear that the tendency Of all
grea. establishments Of government labor.
is 10 resistless monopoly. and state of
aristocracy and privileged orders. always
connected with powerful combinations. --
/ The depression and impove enf ff the