American mechanic and home journal., 1849-11-16
AMERICAN MECHANIC
 HON F JOU RN AL.
TO THE PUBLIC.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER l6, 1s49.

The first number of the 47aerican Nechan- ic is now before you. In conducting this pa per, We shall endcavor principally to promote
 he general int rests of the Mechanic and Laborer. These classes, who form the great ar part of the community, have long been lown-rodden and oppressed. The Laboring 2 men, who ought to enjoy the fruit ot their la bor who do all the work and fight all the bat ties, are despised, ruled and oppressed by those who luxuriate upon the products of their toll, suffering and privations. There is among the Wcalthier portion of the community a proud, arisi ocra,ic feeling, that causes them to look down with disdain upon those who are obliged earn their Elt,, ,J> ,ic sweat of their brovvs.
 They look upon the honest laborer with con- .cmpt, and think it disgrace for man to work for his living. Such persons cannot as >ociate with mechanics or working men--their
 ,>5i:>il ill society is too eleuated, too re fncd, 70 admit of this-it ,ooul3n't De genteel. How veIy absurd it is for man to think that the possession of wealth is to elevate him above his fellow mon that to live a life ofidleneness is an honor to him! Such men are the droncs of society; they are of no use to any body. others must toll to support them, and ill boast ing of their d1cncsS and aversion to work they glory in their shame. Such ideas of the re- spectabili.y of work ought not to prevail in a free country-;hcy are fit only for the minions of despo:. The great men of our country, those who have become renowned, and have been advanced to the highest posts of honor in the nation, have, with but few exceptions, arisen from obscurity among the hardy sons of toll. The names of Arlwright and Watt of England; and Dr. Franklin, Fulton and Whitney, mechanics of our own country, will long be rrmembcred for their discoveries in the Arts and Sciences. Dr. Franklin was once poor printers boy, and by his own exertions rose from his humble station in life to be one of the greatest philosophers of the age. The
 idea that work is disgraceful is ridiculous :; the Savior ofmen was not ashamed to work with his hands, and shall We be ashamed to follow his example
 The American Mechanic will advocate the i cn hour system. We wish to see it establish ed in every workshop and factory throughout the country. The custom of compelling ope- ratives to work thirteen or fourteen hours a day in the confined atmosphere of a factory is injurious to health and morals. They have no time to take exercise in the open air, so necessary for the preservation of health, or toI improve their minds by reading. This state of things is wrong it is a violation ofthe laws of nature and the consequences that follow are just what might be expected. The health of those to whose lot it falls to perform this drudgery is impaired, and they become the prey of disease.
 There are those who will tell you that the operatives if they are not satisfied with their condition, are not obliged to stay; they can leave at any time they have a mind to, and ought, if they are not suited, to go somewhere