The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-29

ncensed at the injustice attempted to be done statesman
who has rendered them such effective service have come
into the field to take his part as he has throughout his life
always taken the part Of honest industry against CONSOLE
dated capital They have efecuaIy vndicated him from
these mpuations in the following report and resolutions
which publish and commend spontaneous tribute
to justice argument conclusive of the charge which
proposes reute and evidence of the capacity Of
the American mechanics to defend those who have al
ways defended them from senseless oaumnes impudenty
intended TO deceive them:
lConesp ondeace Of the Virginia Republican,
MEETING OF THE MECHANICS OF HARPER'S FER
RY, VIRGINIA.
very large and enthusiastic meeting of the mechanics
OF Harpers Ferry was held In that place the 18th of
August 1885, at which, motion, JOHN PRICE Esq.,
was called to the chair, and THOMAS W. SHRyER esq., ap
pointed secretary.
On notion a committee, consisting of Captain William
H. Moore T. S Duke and Michael f. Price, esqs was APP
pointed draugh resolutions expressive of the of the
meeting in regard to the base caumnies which have been
circulated charging Mr. Buchanan with being unfriendly
TO the interests Of the working of the country.
The committee retiring for short time came into the
meeting and made their report which was preaced by MI
Duke, as follows; a.
The committee to whom you assigned the duty of pre-
pairing and presenting report upon the interests OF the
mechanics and working of the country and especially
regard to the ISLANDERS which the opposition try
ing 10 heap upon the head of best friend, the Hon
James Buchanan have performed the duty imposed upon
them They have endeavored to do than justice
themselves and the mechanics OF the country and they
have sufficient confidence in the intelligence OF the people
induce the belief that their sentiments expressed in
the resolutions which they have presented will meet with
u niversa appreciation.
Mr. Buchanan sir has always been the mechanics friend
He has stood proudly forth aid their in
darkest hour His eloquence has been directed in our
goomes days to the dark clouds which lowered
over us and to his exertons indebted for many OF
the advantages which have been awarded In 1870 in
the United States Senate when John Davis undertook
misrepresent him, Mr. buchanan called to his feet
and declared that from his SOUL he loved the aborng
and every act of his life since that period proves
that the declaration was made in good faith.
Who Is there in this meeting who will sit quietly and
hear the Hon. James Buchanan assaed enemy of the
raising his voice put down such infamous ISLANDERS? But
to the
The mechanics of Harper Ferry having seen with much
regret the unprncpled effort of the enemies of the Hon
James Buchanan 10 revive and asen upon him the charge
of having advocated reduction Of the wages of mechan
cal labor the of ten day. deemed 1t
duty to who has SO long and constantly
the interests of the industrial classes examine and
this infamous charge contrary history reason and
contradictory to the whole tenor of his private life and
public record.
In proceeding with this refuation we cannot SUPPRESS
our honest indignation at the impudent mpuation upon
! the Intelligence of the American mechanics which the
circulation of this cslumny implies Who the mechan
millions of Europe oppressed by class kept
in the profound ignorance of everything except the
manual skill necessary TO execute some special article Of
social consumption and living upon allotted pttance
Of their own labor
Are they far debarred the privilege read and reason
as that they be mised by the charge that who
been through life their beneactor and ad yocate has DELHI
eraey tried 10 deprive them of just compensation for
their labor and the honest support Of their families
Is ii supposed that they discriminate between
truth and fasehood? distinguish honest friend from
q concealed enemy?
Enjoying then the advantages of acquiring infor
nation with other citizens of the republic accustomed
discuss and investigate for themselves public questions in
which their rights are involved they have appealed the
records OF the country TO testify upon the truth fasty
of the charge referred 10.
Before however proceeding with the investigation of the
subject the mechanics Of Harpers Ferry may pardoned
in taking peculiar interest when il is known that they
stand under especial obligations TO the state ynan whose
character they intend to yindcate
Ii will be remembered that in the year ls4l an effort
made to commit the direction of the mechanical labor
employed in the manufacture of firearms officers Of the
army Of the United States The injustice of this
occasioned an appeal to Congress and amongst the
earnest and efficient advocates Of continuing the mechan
cal construction of military weapons in the hands of
practical and mechanical civilian the Hon. James Bu
ehanan as will be by reference TO his whole congress
sonsl history and the following letter addressed by him
to a member of committee from the Armory at this
place to advocate the desired relief
SENATE CHAMBER, July IL, 1872
DEAR The pressure of public business has prevented
me from acknowledging the receipt Of your
earlier day. cheerfuly spouse your ! clearly
Of opinion that the workmen armores ought 10 be
placed under civil and military and
sincerely regret that majority Of the Senate have
thought differently. In what the question may be
decided by the House anticipate yet fear the re-
suit Yours sincerely, JAMES BUCHANAN.
We proceed with narrative Of historical facts neces-
sary to the intelligent comprehension Of this Infamous
charge.
During the currency war; which followed the delivery Of
the country from the monopoly OF the United
States Bank, Mr. Buchanan advocated the establishment
OF the independent treasury One argument used by the
enemies Of this independent that IL de-
signed PROSTATE the whole banking system and intro
duce metallic currency Assuming that this was the
such financial revolution parayZe the monetary and
industrial interests Of the country The wages Of the
chane and aborer must sympathiEe with this universal
embarrassment and great suffering would result all who
depended upon the Of their brows for honest
maintenance Such were the consequences attributed by
ury The consequences then denied and
ed By its friends They disavowed intention
throw the institutions Of credit They demonstrated that
such effect would not follow the They de-
MED that the establishment Of the independent treasury
would reduce the wages Of labor
II bold step the part Of the panicnakers that
they should have ascribed 10 Mr. Buchanan admission
OF the very mputaon which himself and others so vehe-
menuy denied. Yet II that senator of that day
whose sonbrgHa Of honest John Davis not certainly
political antagonists charged Mr. Buchanan with having
advocated tho independent treasury for the express pur
pose of bringing down the wages Of labor. Having
sumsd that this consequence intended and desired by
Mr. Buchanan, this honest Mr. John Davis added in the
appendix Of bis speech tho Of daily labor allowed
Of Europe that be established by the independent
country another An inferior Of caun-