Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-11-11
Mechanics, Farmers, and Lawyers.

>-~~~S~S~~S~S~S~SeO%S O%Se~~Se~~~~~sS0~e~>Se
Mechanics, Farmers, and Lawyers.
When the Crystal Palace, in this city,
was opened amid the pealing notes orches-
ira and organ, and when to witness that
splendid pageant, soldiers, clergymen, law
yers, and literary characters we're appoint
el to conspicuous positions, while the sons
Of industry and invention we're passed over
as noncntitie., We took occasion to express
our views freely on the subject, and to
point out the slur that was thereby cast
upon some of the most worthy men in our
country. That was case which called
freely for rebuke ,and it was honestly given.
We have now something to say by way Of
rebuke to our mechanics and farmers, for
it is the duty Of an honest press to give
censure to whom censure is due, as well
as honor to whom honor is due.
Our mechanics ard farmers are justly
to blame themselves for the negative po-
sition which they generally occupy on all
public occasions they compose the mass,
the overwhelming majority of our popula-
ton, and yet by their acts they virtually
say, eve are as nobody in prominent af-
fairs" and they bend low and are led and
guided by the superior intelligence or du-
plicity of another class-our lawyers. If
speech is to be made at an agricultural
dinner or Fair, lawyer is the man select
ed for the purpose. If an address is to be
made before Mechanics Institute, a law
yer is sure to be the oracle on such an oc-
cas;oa also. By this conduct our farmers
and mechanics virtually acknowledge that
they are totally incompetent to discuss the
very questions which belong to their call
ings, and with which they should be most
particularly acquainted, and that another
class have all the intelligence and the civil
qualities which command their respect. Is
it strange thing, then, that lawyers should
rule our country in every department, that
the President, every one Of his Cabinet, all
of our Foreign Ministers, the very Collec-
tors and Surveyors of the port of New
York should be lawyers all?" 1t is in
deed strange, but the fact is easily ac-
counted for. Do we blame our lawyers
for this T.? No. The very statements We
make is the highest compliment We can
pay them, and inversely a rebuke to our
farmers and mechanics. Our lawyers, We
believe, possess more general information
than any other class of men in our country;
if this be not true, how is it that such a
small class as they are, among such an
immense population as ours, exercise an
influence on the destinies of our country,
greater than that of all other classes put
together. There is no disputing this asser-
ton they are the arbitrators and rulers
of our country. 1t may be said, "their
business peculiarly fits them them for gov
ernors and rulers of the people" This is
true IN a measure, but yet to understand
law, it is not necessary to be professionally
lawyer. This, however, is not the point
to which We have peculiarly directed the
attention of our mechanics and farmers.
Our object has been to point out the folly,
the absurdity, the weakness, and admitted
want of ability in our farmers and mechan-
les, selecting others out of their own cir
cles to address them upon the very subjects
with which they should be best acquainted
themselves. A reform is certainly de-
manded among our industrial classes in the
matter Of self respect and self dependence.
-Scient!fc american.