Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-12
NUMBER 80.


tfa 4.E WAbhinufVcl mHtch ~, loDa.
7b Me Editor Of the 4dpiericass Organ
Sin 7 am an american mechanic, and, there
fore, deeply sympathize IN the great American
movement Of the present day.
On the Twenty-second Of February last, having
celebrated the glorious day by casting my vote for
the American Board of Managers Of the Washing \
ton Monument Association. ! seated myself inmy
shop for few moments, previous to returning
home to the bosom Of my family. As sat look. !.
ing In the fire, and musing over the memorable
events Of the day, ! inssnsiby sank into quiet
slunber, and dreamed dream, which, by your
permission, should be happy to lay before tho
already numerous readers Of Amer;ican Oroan.
dreamed that there arose from the fire in my
shop thin, white wreaths Of smoke, pure as amber,
and sweet . incense. As they curled up, slowly
before me, suddenly there appeared In the centre
'she figure ofa man sasj a s Il
His head was uncovered; and as he turned his
face toward me, Instantly recognized the majestic
and benevolent features of the Father Of our Cour-
try, He wore his hair In the style of 76, and was
dressed in the Continental uniform Of the Com
mander-in-Chief Beneath his left arm was tho
ancient cooked hat Of the Revolutionary army. By
his side was strong sword, and his right arm was
raieed pointing in the direction Of the Washington
Monument, as it stands from my shop. Higher
and higher, he ascended before my awe-struck
vidon until bis whole form was revealed, in all the
native grandeur Of his character, as the great
American patriot, statesman, and sage.
Looking upon me, as Washington only could
look, he made signs that he was about to SPEAK.
Instantly was all attention Ha ssg
my sonl" said Washington, I. hearken to me |;
and ponder well on what 1 shall say"
Oh! how intently did ! listen then 4
my SON" he continued. q / perceive that you
know me-. tis wen. Irevisit my country to-day,
for it is the anniversary Of my birth and feel
peculiar pleasure, at this time, in making myself
knoDn and heard in the shop of the AnxnIoAS
MECHANIC"
was about to arise, as If in token Of respect to
the presence Of 90 august parsonage, when he
mildly added:
/" Keep your seat, my SON. You are wearied by
honest toll, and the sleep Of the laboring-man Is
sweet. Listen further to my words:
Like yourself I was once in humble life. I
began my career as a farmers boy Many an hour
have toiled, as you have to-day until my brow
was moist and dripping with honest sweat. s.
/, "Some of the first years Of my manhood were
passed among hills and valleys, rivers and for
ests, dragging the chains. driving the stakes, and
viewing and drawing the boundary lines of tho
land surveyor. n. = -. s..
"When called by my countrymen, and yours, TO
the dangers and sufferings Of the patriot army, it
was my happiness to share fully In the privations
Of the common soldier.
when the last hard battle was fought, when
the independence Of our country was won, when
my duties as the first President Of the Young Re-
public were ended, Il was with readiness that be-
came, like yourself an humble private citizen;
most willingly did come back from the camp to
the farmhouse, ,ftomthe eharof State to the plough.
The shade here drew up his noble form 10 his fun
height, and an unusual lustre shot from his eye a.
he resumed. Is at ts-t
Thus was born; thus was reared; thus
served my country, In the council and in the geld;
thus did give mp my body 70 die, and my soul TO
God; and thus would that my countrymen should
cherish my memory. 80.
my sou, hearkenl Can Il be true that there
are those among our people who would eralt
Washington with mere castles and titles, with nero
rank and lineagei CAN'T be true that there is un-
wonted commotion around the city that bears my
name, even at the foot Of the monument reared to
my honor, because Americans have elected Ameri.
cans to carry on the work."
bowed my bead In silence. 8i ls
Never shah ! forget the appearance Of the shade
Of Washington, at that thrilling moment Ho
seemed 10 tower up before me, AZ n the very mon
ument itself had been created into his living form,
as he spoke In tones Of awful majesty. ,.s
"Gol my son go" said he, "snd tell your
counirymen and mine, that George Washington
asks not that men Of rank, dignity, and titles
should build his monument Got say TO my peo-
pie that Washington was no such respecter Of per
sons; publish Il abroad through the land, that
Washington knew not men by their high sounding
names, irrespective Of their merits; and proclaim
Il from the housetops, that Washington fought
side by side with mechanics, aborers and farmers,
that all might share alike in the blessings Of Inde-
pendence that, through all coming time, sAxKr.
IclSs SHOULD RULE AsrricAir v
As he said this the shade slowly and msjestically
withdrew. The beautiful vhits cloud gradually
melted away A sound Of cahnon broke on my
ear, and Iswoke. Il was the roar of the guns Of
Washington, firing the sun-dovn salute 70 W Asmso-
ros's Birthday I rose TO my feet and, as passed
70 the door Of my shop, the Washington honu-
ment came fully into view. Tho light ofthe setting
sun was streaming across the Potomac from tho
gently sloping hills Of the Old Dominion. AsI
gazed at the summit Of the monument an un-
wonted light seemed to nnger around IL; and from
a rising wreath Of cloud that hung In the sky
above, ! thought I heard the parting words Of
WAsmseros-
Americans should rsle 1rer;ea."
remain, your obedient servant
An AmxRicAr Mncnkrru