The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-01-28
From the Union Artist.
THE AMERICAN MECHANIC.

been truly boneficent. She has placed
him in a land where he beholds around
him, no human honors that are beyond his
grasp-no wealth Of mind that may not be
attained-no moral power, that he may
not WELD in the allevation of human wo,
or in the advsncemen Of humanity. He
knows and feels what it is. to be a man.!
and being impressed with a just conscious
ness Of the destiny which awaits career
that is honorable and digniied, his watch
word, to himself and his friends. is ONWARD!
that word which, in the annals of civiliza-
ton and progressive humanity has made
the arm of the tyrant to tremble. The
season of his early boyhood may have
been passed in obscurity; his brow may
have been barred by poverty, to the pitless
blast, and his feet may have walked The
earth in nskednsss, but as life progressed
with him. whisper stole upon his ear; it
was tho voice of a manly ambition, urging
him to be onyard! go, win a name"
It's not little remarkable, that our
young mechanics are mostly of humble
origin, and yet it may be regarded as for
tunatc for humanity. that it is true. mas.
much as the ease and luxury incident to
wealth are incompatible with that iron re-
solve and physical exertion essential to the
perfection of mechanical science and prac.
tics. But that the world Of inherited blood
and wealth should look with scorn upon
this class, is a wrong that we can never
indulge; and y,t in our everyday life We
behold exempIifcations Of its pollutng
power.
We lament that prodigy of social and
moral curses. the distinction drawn by
gold and blood among men. Time may
have its grades Of soul and blood, and the
caprices of poisoned humanity may Of.
ten exult in the hearts of the high, while
over the honest, but moral and aspiring
poor, is drawn the veil OF distinction that
closes them from social alliance with the
more favored OF blood and wealth; but
there is an ETERNITY that will draw a far
different distinction with the world of the
future. All will DO weighed, not by the
pride and show of earth, but in the scale
Of Gods Justice. where nought avals but
that great moral weight which is here re-
garded as without power, when found in
tho honest and toiling poor.
| The young mechanic of America need
not lament that false test of manly and
social worth, which excludes him in carly
: life from the associations of wealth. and
the falsely elevated alliances of blood. If
Heaven has stamped upon his brow and
arms the impress of toll, he has only to
act, and soon will those who, on false
premises, claim a position above him, be
bowed before him, and humbled by the
native force of that character which will
ever rally to the triumph of real and manly
worth. "He is nothing but poor me-
chanic," is an expression that may often
salute his ear, from the lips Of brainlsss
coxcombs but lot him be onward, and
while his traducers sink away from the
earth in moral leprosy and shame, he will
rec from the world the just tribute of his
worth. We hate that false greatness which
is inherited alone from blood and wealth,
but we love tho man who wrests by tho
force of moral and energetic career, the
threads from off the wheel of fate. and
weaves them into the woof OF a manly
destiny. 1t was a poor mechanic that
gave to the American press its early and
great power in the cause Of humanity. It
p was a poor mechanic that chained the
lightnings Of Heaven, and bado them be
harrnle less. We need not instance partcu.
lar trumphs in the world OF mechanical
!; and philosophical science, that have ema.
(. mated from poor mechanics; Tor we cha-
; lenge the world to produce their equal.
) Every department of human science
= and toll has been enlightened and enlarg.
ed by the practical operations and genius
of this class. Ease and affluence palsy
. the energies of people, while necessity,
&, that stern and nfexibls incentive to ac-
3 ton, prompts to exertion and fosters the
growth and practical improvement of in.
5 tellect. To tho American mechanic who
Q is poor, but commanding the vigor Of
youth, We would say, be onward.~ Your
, country bids you welcome to all the hon
!, ors within her power to grant. Wealth
2 and ease may yet be yours. But amid all
E your success, forget not that charity o
j. soul and heart which bids you foster the
i aspirations of those who would ascend in
the scale that has elevated yourselves
}. Turn not aside to mourn over the unkind
ness that greets you from the lips and ac.
. ton of those who pander to the false glare
|. of the coxcomb and votares Of indolen
ease. Be yiriuous-be energetic-be en-
: |lightened- land the measure Of your sue
cess will soon be filed. f
!. Through the deep gloom that darkens o'er thee
4 The star of fame iNa@H
:, Shines like beacon.light before thee; cs
Go! win name.'a E1ta pisfii