Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-04-28
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nm 230 ~UU9oASO ~2OOS
ESSAY, delivered by W. P. BrADsuRs, BY up.
pointment, before the "Young Mems Debating
Society" Of Plaquemine, on Monday evening,
April %, 1855.
frusLrsHEp By REouEsr OF TIE socsErrI
Next in importance to the Agricultural branch
of our c~ountry-this arm OF our national
greatness, welfare and happiness-are the Me-
chanic Arts. While both combined and pro-
perly INJURED and gusrded-both by the Gov.
eminent and the people, in . legislative and
social light-would unite in making us justly
the proudest, the weaithiest, the happiest and
the most powerful people upon the face of the
earth-for it is in the internal resources of a
country where its power or ito weakness 10
manifest, and good or evil follows-it becomes
q matter Of surprise that with the rising gener.
alton Of the land, as with the ages past, these
pursuits should not be the first and greatest
ambition Of life. The first, although it has
been far from receiving that attention from our
countymen, 30 advantageously recommended
by our form of Government, the ease and
-c~heapness OF its lands, the great demand for
every species Of produce. the facility Of get
ting it to market, the undoubted fair remunera-
ton to be expected, and the free and indepen.
dent life which it points to-yet it lisa favorite
pursuit among a class of our citizens which
stands largely in the majority in point of wealth.
and who are, besides. pre-. eminently the happi.
est, the beaIthiest, the freest, and we may say
also, without casting reflection upon others,
the most patriotic and reliable of any portion
Of the American people. |
But it is not Of the ennobling pursuit Of
Agriculture that we are here to speak at this
time. We would treat of the Mechanic Arts
"a subject which has received much public |
and social neglect and eoutumely. But much
As we have thought upon this subject for many
years past, in all its various phases, We feel
at this time our total inefieieucy to do itaDy.
thing like justice. had we ever at any time the
ability to speak of it as it deserves. It il .
glowing with beautiful thoughts; and
its wrongs aud its rights deserve for its advo.
cate q pen warm and fresh from the founts Of
Truth and Rhetorie-a pen healthy snd on.
dimmed by the daily labor of a thousand to.
mind free from the enervation of Sleep
vigils at night, bordering upon themes to
be wrought into life when light appears.
NJ one Of reflection can fail 10 notice the
state Of the Mechanical brsncheA 10
a social position, 10 our enlightened Re-
where, of all countries, aud among oil
people, the superstition woald Be, from the
nature Of our Institutions, they would flourish
more vigor and purity than in any other
'ection of the globe.
A few simple facts will. in = measure, &C.
:ount for this. First, and Lluu,Iy, there is too
much Of what is graphically termed sCod6.h
aristocracy" among oar simple Republicans.
md many a family. within our experience,
Who, having been possessed Of this imported
have allowed it to weigh them down to
and want. They were too proud-be.
ause Of q few luckily boarded thousands, &C.
uired BY hard work or Questionable means
. allow their sons TO learn = trade, conceiying, .
! the pride they had unfortunately acquired, !,
nat it was di-graceful to indenture their of. :
pring TO any of the Mechanic Arts--that it !.
as pIsbeian -IikO Nor them to be seen at work. 7.
nd instead, unlike wise and judicious pa. !.
'nts, who would like 10 see their sons have !.
'at independence which . trade gives, they, /,
70 psttsd ones of = falss lore and false pride, .
e showed though 4 collegiate eossss and a
Professional preparations; and then, with . few i
undrsds to start them in the world, they 20 :
nth. little dreaming Of the patjsncs-of the :.
'ng proba'ioa in store for thsm-bsfors their a
Tents will be appreciated, even II they have a
y. Many find, after il i too lsts-aner al !.
money 10 spent-and whom the last die. u
draft upon psrsats who loved them o,
II unwisely. hiss bssn rstarnsd-thst they !.
ne chosen = wrong career. Or their parssss {,
We for them. Deep norsi6eation susssA .,
hey cannot work. How eaa.shey descend n
pm their high position sosts daily hborsr, 5.
it 10 too late nov 10 Isars Q tsade. Tbefr q
0nsy 10 gone. Something nase - dops. h
mind, rscksd By the pressing demands d
their weekly or monthly SUPPORT bseouss To-
prey 70 the most gloomy horrosa Dissipa- 81
IN 10 the sure follower, IL IL has not CON. ii.