The Washingtonian., 1845-08-23
8 Ell E q r e D.

SELECTED.
We copy the following rich article from the
Cincinnati Daily Times. 1t is worthy the al
tentive perusal of all the laboring classes; ana
as our subscribers are principally Of that class,
we recommend it to their consideration.
SOMETHING RICH, BUT TOO TRUE TO
MAKE A JOKE OF.
The world. or rather modern civilization, is
a curious compound of absurdities, and the
gravity with which remedies are supplied for
evil results, while the causes are cherished,
is amusing to any philosopher of the Laughing
school. As we do not, however, number our
selves among the disciples of either Demo-
critus or Heraclitus, we must be permitted to
speak of this thing with mingled emotions OF
pity, wonder, love, and praise, regretting the
evil, but happy to see that some good is yet
mixed up with it. Let us look abroad in the
world. What do we see? A nation, rolling
in wealth and stepped in luxury TO the very
ewes; such is the general view-she is re-
nOwned in arts and in arms-she is the bull
wark of Christianity, devoting millions to the
spread of its principles, and sacrificing, in un-
wholesome and inhospitable climes, hundreds
of valuable lives yearly, that those who thirst
may drink of the waters Of life freely, and OBJ
tain eternal salvation. This nation has her
hospitals, her retreats for tender orphans, de-
crepid widows, and broken down old men
she has her iails for criminals, with their
"ordinaries," /" with the bible in hand, and me-
lodious words Of consolation, to reform the
debased, and snatch the juvenile offender from
the contamination of his wicked associates
she has her work-houses and alms-houses, too,
where her children, who have toiled for long
and weary years, like the brute that perisheth,
can lie down, still subject to the pangs Of hun
ger, and, in rags and filth, listen to the taunts
and jeers of pampered menials of not half their
worth; and this is called charity this, fulfill
ing the iniunctions of their Divine Master. Do
the angels weep at this?
The above reflections arose from reading the
following:
A.a /" Printers Aims House.-The fourth ami
versary meeting of the subscribers to the fund
for erecting alms-houses for the reception of
aged and infirm printers, was lately held in
the theatre of the Mechanics Institute, Lon
don, Luke James Hansard in the chair. From
the report Of the committee it appeared that
the amount Of subscriptions received since the
last annual meeting was f355, making, with
the sum previously in hand, a total Of FL ,455
Mr.. Hansard presented ESQ, Mr.. Cloves Ell,
and many Of the large printing Offices had
subscribed literally. Several resolutions were
passed, one Of which was to memorialize the
Stationers' company for grant of money"
1t is fact, that the wages of printers have
been greatly reduced, and are now at low
ebb; so low, that in England, it appears, they
are founding an "Alms House for Printers ="
and we, on this side of the Atlantic, are fast
following in the footsteps of "glorious Old
England" Perchance, those who labor in
stthe art preservative of all arts"-who are
prominent actors in redeeming men from ig.
norance, and elevating the masses-whose
thunders shake thrones and overthrow despotic
dynasties, and who speak trumpet-tongued
over the sea and the land, comfort and re-
demption to the oppressed-who would aid the
dying and debased pauper to escape with his
crushed carcase from beneath the iron.shod
heel Of his heartless, soulless oppressor-ah!
he will be taken care of in an alms-house, af-
ter he has worn out his body for pittance,
that his pampered master may revel in luxury!
Glorious prospect!!!
Is he not thy brother, and why should he
not be allowed to provide for himself, like a
Inan2 Why grind him into the dust, and rob
him Of his earnings, and then quiet his con-
science by disgorging pittance of thy ILL
gotten gains. That's the question-and it
applies to all laborers. So far as this question
lis concerned, the printers are at the head of
that Spartan band who would resist the bane-
ful influence of low wages. Will they take
the poisoned chalice, and drink it to the dregs?
If they do, all others must follow. Is there
in this country an employer who would by his
lbaseness, his ayarice, or his heartlessness, re-
duce you to the "Alms House for Printers" to
be built here, in America-turn from him with
scorn-treat him with contemplate his name
be Anathema; let the oppressor of his breth-
,ren, who would make them fit subjects for an
!" Aims House," rot in his ignominy, and walk
like an evil spirit amongst you, silent and un-
spoken to. This is practical and important
question, touching the welfare of large ma
jority Of the people of these States. The true
man, instead Of providing for poverty, will en-
deavor to do away with its causes; he will pay
the workman who is building up his fortune,
and from whose labor his children are fed, a
full and ample and generous compensation.
Then we shall have no occasion for aims
houses-especially an "Alms House for Prin-
ters." ...ht...s
Who ever heard of an "Alms House for
-Doctors-Lawyers! If printers
are already, or to be reduced-if that is under
stood, land it looks like it,) for decency's sake
let them go to the general "Alms House." !"
and not build one especially for their use to
exist as monument of their ignorance-of
their want Tablespoonful their vices. What
- r. Il