Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23

ion which substanate his freedom and conduct him TO
happiness, Of the subordinate which serve to amuse
him only.
The influence of this admirable system of government
while has excited emulation which has led to results
credabe to national character is visible here
night in the works of this useful institution 1t must not
be forgotten that standing upon soil which,
little more than century ago, recognised the dominion
OF savage The Indian foaed upon the mo-
bic bay which bears upon its bosom the matured
fruits Of civilization and industry and the wild fox dug
his hole unsecured in the Businesses Of that undsturbed
forest which stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific
shores. Mighty have swept the surface of whole
continent Deeds of daring and of vaor have gded with
more than lusre the brightest chapter in the
worlds history Man has worthy illustrated the go-
rious seal which has been set upon him. giant repub-
lie has sprung into existence holder in conception greater
in extent Of territory remarkable in oil the elements
Of power and duration than has found parallel in the
evenu ages that have gone before Attracted by the
novelty of the idea where mans happiness is made the
offspring of his own will living stream of emigration
has continued to set in from the decayed monarches Of
the Old World The forest has been eveed; stupendous
works of INSTRUMENTATION, binding together remote
States have been proeced the hand OF conquest has
carried with it the arts Of peace and its presence al
ready in the smiling landscape that every where en-
ivens the prospect; in the cattle upon thousand hills
in the humble village that lifts its spires amidst the 81
lence of the remote interior and the imposing and
popuous cities of the seaboard whose winged messen-
gers daily pouring in upon them the treasure OF re-
mote lands
The mechanic arts have gone hand in hand Yth the
developments Of this extraordinary era. MANI inge-
nry has shown itself in every conceivable combination
Of physical arrangement and inventive skill and while
prosperity has crowned the labors of the industrial
classes the body polite has not failed to participate in
the vvifyng influences Of the astounding results which
being daily proclaimed The blending Of intellectual
andtscenfc pursuits with the simple application
of mechanical labor may be regarded important
advance in the progressive character Of the age There
nothing within the range Of experimental knowledge
which does not claim the attention of the professional
i m q a not
physical power when tho great field Of inquiry is before
him and the light Of maturcd science is abroad upon
| his path.
OF the useful classes into which the social system is d.
vded those engaged in industrial pursuits from being
the most numerous, must always exercise large, not
controlling, influence both in matters of national as well
local 1t is honorable for to live by the
labor Of their hands, and the superadded attractions OF
wealth and political preferment give additional stimulus
| to this already popular vocation But the mechanic
should not mistake his true interest in effort to &C
compish what may be deemed higher and more disn-
guished destiny If from the tranquil pursuits in which
embarked he should be lured Is not unfrequent
the case without adequate preparation, into the e1
cited of political STRIFE he must not shut his eyes
upon the fact that those who devote their lives to the
public may expect recompense only in the honesty OF
their intentions. The fluctuations of popular favor are
to be oreseen and the uncertainty of party support
has become word in all ages and among all nations
i Cum fortuna manet vunm servatis amici
| Cum credit turpi yertitis ora fuga"
Those who expect popularity to bear them onward in
reach the goal for which they striving without dsap
pontment but they frequently dashed upon the
rocks that embarras and obsruct their pathway The
public in every situation should measure the dangers
which he is exposed and be prepared with Julian
bear adversely with rmness and prosperity with modera
ton" When contemplate the life of the successful
chanc earning the of his brow and the faculties
with which God has endowed him the independence and
comfort with which he is by
citing causes harassed by popular oubreakswhat is
there within the circle of worldly renown be it ever so
nf
is really worth possessing and calculated to fill the
sure of happiness?
The expansion of the mental powers the establishment
of correct tastes and principles the correction of
the test Of experience and matured science inds
pensable concomitants of substantial and lasting fame
The Maryland Institute had its origin in desire to
ply these wants In his preparation for the active field
duty the mechanic who looks to reputation In the fu
ture requires standard of excellence beyond what his
own limited opportunities enable him to foreshadow He
cropping in the dark without these aids to stimulate and
guide him. He must throw himself into competition with
the past well the present. The worlds history
be spread before him, and its examples held up
guides for imitation improvement He must seek in
the intervals Of more eHgrossng cares to purify and ee-
vate his taste, strengthen his intellectual power and fit
himself by wedireoted study for the diversified field in
which he may be called to cot.
1t is not difficult to foree that the march OF mechani
cal and industrial pursuits here in the State Of Maryland
atering though it may have been, is hardly to be mea
ured by the results of the past The advantages of eli
nae centray in reference to the other States OF the
Union; the presence of the great auxaries indis
pensabe to mechanical and manufacturing success; and
the close proximity to the seat of governments point
daily increasing in magnitude and Importance the per-
manent centre of systema lead us to the city of
Baltimore the theatre which many of the import
ant discoveries and triumphs Of the future be
achieved Your past has not been without its les
son of encouragement In naval architecture in the in
vention and successful application of machinery to gene
raj practical uses in the introduction of agricultural i'm
plements and laborsaving machines in the endless
rety of handcrafts which enter largely into the
and comforts e of which we have around
us creditable display; and last though by means
the least worthy of MENTION in the improvement of
city by monuments Of architectural taste and beauty it
may be claimed that section of Union has estab
lished enviable reputation. The Baltimore
chanic carries with him already sort Of nationality de-
rived from the abors and of his past
He may be said to blend with the wsrk of his hands the
impress Of distinctive excellence, which has gained him
applause not only here at home, in country,
but quarters where the of free institutions
to which largely indebted may be scarcely said
to have penetrated
With such prospect then, in the future the mechanics
of the State of Maryland have important obligations rest
ing upon them The field Of labor is not yet sufficiently
explored Fresh harvests daily maturing The Mary
land Institute has sprung ato existence at period when
happiest results may be expected from its welldirect
ed efforts Light, indispensable to success must be
shed upon the multitudes who daily in attendance
upon its councils from its walls from the lecture ROOM
and from it's laboratories The example Of past ages In
every department Of knowledge Of philosophical inquiry
of physical experiment. must be held up for their i'm
provement and direction. The mechanic may justly
claim, with the impetuous Telemon-