Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-27
For the Portage Sentinel.
Mechanics Mutual Protection.

chius aAo soiu 1Iuiys "a TeleTsuCe " tuo
history Of the past, the desola,ing wars, the
national and individual wars, robberies and
murders, the great robberies and little rob.
berries, the vast destruction of property and
of life recorded on almos, every page of
pas, history, and coming down even 10 the
present time, is proof of that fact, that Man
has been, and even now is, the greatest en-.
emy ofhis race
But new era appears to be dawning
upon u.s. Philanthropy begins to be es-
teemed as virtue. Men have long com.
bined their energies by squads and armies
to oppress and destroy euch other. Even
the arts Of peace have been perverted TO
political oppression. Wealth has been US.
ed TO Cypress poverty. The strong have
combined to Cypress the weak. But now
we see. in our own model Republic, men
combining their energies TO promote the
public good by various and efficient means.
Our great National Government is man,
moth combination for the public good, and
for the good Of the world, and the thirty
State governments are powerful auxiiaries
to the same object. Our thousand and
one societies. for the thousand philanthrop.
ic objects, such as temperance, religion,
morals, for railroads, canals, town and
city corporations, schools, colleges, libra
ries, and various other purposes, are all
combinations for beneficial purposes
Sometimes, indeed, some of them are per-
verted for individual nggrandize'nent, but
in general they are combinations for good
purposes, and they do effect much good.
But there is another class of associations,
combinations, that appear 10 be doing grea,
good among US, in which men unite for
good, not merely for the acquisition OF
wealth, but to assist and protect each 9th.
er, which trust but few Of US as ye, know
how fully to appreciate, and Of which the
benefits are but little known, for they are
yet but in their infancy. allude to the
Orders Of Independent Odd Fellows, Sons
Of Temperance, Mechanics Mutual Protec-
tions, and other similar orders, the estab-
lishment Of which are but recent, but which
are already doing much good, and which
seem destined TO embrace the whole human
family, and unite oil as brethren. and sis.
tiers. As you have in your village, and
perhaps in other places in the county
lodges of Odd Fellows, and Sons of Tenn
perance, will not further refer to then,
now; but Mechanics Mutual Projections
are, believe, scarce known in this county,
and my object is to introduce the order to
the notice of your readers. l am not a
member, but have been for some time OBJ
serving their progress with much pleasure,
and am glad TO be able to give some infor-
nation Of them, which | derived from the
periodical papers. The National Reform.
er, published at Rochester, N. Y, appro.
PIRATES one page each week to the promul-
cation and spread OF the principles Of the
order,' by which / learn that there are 81
lodges or Projections in the State of New
York, "a in Ohio, two in Pennsylvania,
five in Michigan, and two in Wisconsin.
Fifty one of the New York Projections
number 221O members. In Ohio, there
are three Projections in Cleveland, two in
Cincinnati, two in Ohio City, and one each
in Warren, New Lisbon, Painesville, Mas
siilon, Canton, Akron, Garfield. Youngs-
town, Salem, Wooster, Elyria, Cuyahoga
Falls, Navarro. Ashland, Mansfield, New.
ark, and New Philadelphia. The rules Of
the order admit none but practical mechan-
les or Artisans; but it is now proposed to
extend the platform to include every man
of good morals, and no doubt the platform
will soon be so extended.
have before me, in Wooster paper,
the constitution Of Mutual Protection No.
II, Of W ooster, Ohio, which have read
with some interest, and am satisfied that
the order is destined to do great good in
society-to be protection indeed, to those
who need protection, and to promote fel-
lowship and social harmony throughout our
country and the world.
herewith communicate for publication,
the preamble, setting forth the object of
the Projection, and will preserve the con.
stitution for future reference, or for publ.
cation in your useful paper, if you may
choose to copy it. Yours,
PHlLANTHRO OPOS.
"OrR OBJEcTs.-A more general diffu-
sion Of the principles and sciences govern.
ing Mechanics and the Arts. to elevate our
brethren in their several callings, and
thereby give them the greatest proficiency
in their several callings.
Extending to apprentices under our care
good education i'll all that pertains to
their employments, that hereafter the Me-
chanic and Artist may be able to assume
better station in society than has yet been
awarded to them.
By rendering to each other that mutual
l,y,- L