The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-11
The New York MschAntos' Institute
sstins Letter fr0aa Gsa. JoAn r. Wssi.

/
TaoY. Dec ~, lsoa
My pEAS STA. A lew days since received vosr u.
vtation in behalf Of the members OF the Mechanics.
Institule Of the city of New York, deliver IA sdd.s
before them such time during the ensuing season a.
mig h be most convenient to myself md hA, neither
INV health oor official duties viii permit ne 10 avail m,
self OF the honor hateringly tsndcred
This deeply regret, for would AFFORD pleasure to
address the members OF the Institute, aud for the reason
set forth in their invitation that they recognise in me
The true friend OF the mechanics and worklngmen" In
this they have mistaken my character, Tor could be
nothng ese when recognising in them the real and sub
slauiaI benefaclors OF the human race among whom
have appeared doctors, lawyers, lurisls philosophers
orators sstesnss, and heroes Il may not be altogether
the recollection Of the msmbsIs OF The Institute few Of
the many mechanics and work. nkmen who have appear
ed ~ shining lights, and who have by heir genius, ski
and great Industry contributed 90 much to the Improve
me n progress and great prosperity Of not only their own
country, but of the civilized world.
In the boy who traversed The streets OF Philadelphia
with loaf OF bread under his arm we discover the
printer Benjamin Franklin. who .'payed with the orked
| lightning US with tame snake" In his day he stood
first among philosophers and statesmen and bis genius
daily and hourly exhibited IN me transmission Of
the thoughts OF men with the speed Of lightning from
extremity Of the Union TO the other No person
manded greater respect condolences a nome or abroad
where felt throughout the period that tried the souls Of
men, and which called forth the nerve and energy Of
every patriot who desired liberty more than oppression
He less tenacious OF hs countIys nonoT han hs
own, aud rgdly maintained the faithful discharge Of all
national obligations Where liberty dwes there my
country" was The declaration Of franklin.
In Roger Sherman we the shoemaker BY hn &C.
MUS industry and great virtues he rose to cminence.
Whilst bending over the last he msditated the freedom
and Independence OF his country Being fond Q! reading
and study the age OF twenty he abandoned the
awl ana apstone for the law and at the age OF thirty
three was admitted to tho bar. He soon became Judge
the supreme court OF his State, and was one Of TIE
sgners of the Declaration OF Independence Afterwards
he was elected member OF the House OF Representn-
tives and then senator Congress- In every sltunon
No %s s Ss s%s s
more OF the confidence Of his countrymen than Roger
| Sherman, the shoemaker.
George Walton, OF Georgia, was carpenter After be
wenyone years OF age he abandoned his tools for
the law BY perseverance, and great industry be placed
himself among the great OF the revolutions and was
of that galaxy OF patriots who sgned the Declaration
of Independence In ITS he appointed coonsl d
militia, and was severely wounded u the siegc Of s..
vannah. He twice became governor OF Georgia, several
times elected to the House OF Representatives and then
senator 10 Congress He died whilst chief juscs Of bic
Staea distinguished and noble career Tor carpenter
10 Nathaniel Greene we see the blacksmith. Like
taed the freedom Of his country The battle Of Axing.
reused Greene, and called forth the latent energes
his mind He gave up the sledEe. hammer Tor the sword
and went forth 70 fight the battles Of bic cosntTy A.
though but private ct the time Rhode Island appoint
ed him brgadier general. and gave him command cf
three regiments OF militia With these be reported MN
self to the commander-n. chief, General Washington.
whose headquarters at the time y Cambridge, ns.s
Boston, His interchangeable exsrtions TO qualify himself
xs q, n and confidence q
tom which continued during their lives From that time
until the close Of the revolutionary war al biz enege.
were devoted to the accomplishment OF the objects and
wishes of his countrymena separation Of the colonies
from England, and their Independence With very linz
tied education. his genius with his exalted patriotism
and intense application, made him in the
estimation Of friends what he really was-seeond only in
character and standing TO the great and good waning
tom Except the latter. to Major Geasrsl Nathaniel
Greene the people of the United States indebted
than to any other individual for the enjoyment Of their
present privileges and unparalleled prosperity: AZ the
close OF the revolution. manifestation OF their high
appreciation OF his character and distinguished services
il Is said South Carolina presented him with $4,000.
Georgia with $4,000. and North Carolina with $4,000
acres OF land 8A
Eli Whitney was manufacturer OF nails. and hen Of
long pins. He invented the cotton gin. after which be
became extensive manufactures Of mnekets Few
men have done more 70 promote the prosperity OF hsif
than trped the wealth OF the cotton growing STATES
Of the South. He those States what Arkwrght.
the barber. was 10 England.
Fulton by his application OF steam 10 navigaiions more
than quadrupled the wealth OF the United States The
benefits Of his genius to the civilized world are beyond
calculation. and the inhabitants OF the valley OF tho Ns-
sssippi him debt OF gratitude which they can never
| cancel.
The genius Of Brindley. mllwright Watt. msihs.
matte instrument MAKER and Arkwrght, barber! called
and placed her on that high eminence which oveooks
| the world" fM
| William Shakespeare was wool comber bat, in The
i
Francis Baylis. became mighty spirit. whose influence.
like the heavenly bodies. 10 now calling up the
tides oil human feeling. He has thrown the charm OF
his genius the lowest walks of life, surroandsd the
throne OF mh with new delights, varied into countless
varieties the shades and the shapes Of h huor. given
and graceful dignity TO the huDblest OF virtues in
parted blander spirit 10 social life, pervsded the very
depth of the soul with strange and wondrous powess Of
pathos and impressed upon ssbmi.y itself assnss sad
ss BE-
scenes and beings. and could give these FAIRY nothiasa
q local habitalon and name"-"lhe faacies OF poetry
and the breathings OF prophecy" a1 N sls'f
| To ihese would add the names oil many more ne.
chanical and wofkingmen. who. by their genius ed
skill have greatly contributed to promote the wealth
prosperity, aud happiness OF the world. But enough hal
been said 10 satisfy the members OF the lnstote that
am less their friend than daily appreciate their in
portance. As class the mechanics asd woskinSnsa
have done more than any other 10 hsmanxe, cvilizs
and l,beralize the human family. i3
have the honor TO be. very rsspeciinly yout sdf
ent servant, JUHN +. WUOL.
To CHARLES H. DELAvAS. esq, Conesp ondiog Sscrssr,
OF Mechanics Institute. tN ttf #f
ByJ. G. MCGUIRE. Austasnssr.
OFFENSIVE SALE or FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD
EtYECTS-Ou Tuesday, February l5b, 10 O'CLOCK At
thrse large brick houses known Mr. Aeeds boa