The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-11-28
THE 1)A1LY DISPATCH.
Eridsy Mcrr,ns. Nsvca,ber IS. i>oS


Eridny OIrrr;as. Noveaber -, ic56.
nfechanics' Hall.
The hsndsome sum which was cleared ~ tne
,,ss Mechanics Fair will enable the ASSOCIATION 10
.ro..cu,e with energy its educational plans. Hs
n,rht school for the apprentices 10 in noursn'ns
..rd;,,on. and from the increase Of funds by the
~. fair they will be enabled to carry on the
.,hoo, with renewed vigor. As We understand H.
-. .r..t object which the Mechanics Association
h.vs IN view. IL the intellectual culture OF those
Tho are lust preparing for = mechanical vocation.
They desire TO raise up generation OF arusan'
Who shall combine the cultivated mind with the
ski,ful hand. and give both dignity and efficiency
10 caIlipss which, though of indispensable value
to society are often held by II in low esteem The
social estimation of the mechanic depends, how
ever, Ia great degree upon the estimate which
mechanics place upon themselves. If they consent
70 ait down with folded hands and make no effort
to store and nvgorate their minds; If they choose
to lie in the bed of ignorance and toll through life
for the mere supply of animal wants, they must
expect to be looked down upon even by the par
venue aristocracy of their own country, which, in
its turn is looked down upon by the aristocracy OF
every other part of the world. The selt.respect'
ing man, or the self-respecting class, no matter
what the vocation, will be universally respected
by Others The mechanics of Richmond are prov
ing true to themselves in the noble efforts they are
now making for the education of apprentices ana
ii is the duty and the interest o. the whole c0in
muuity to give them helping hand
The great need of the Association at this '''i'e
. hall, for school rooms lecture rooms, anu "Nn.,
exhibitions. An effort has been maoe "
funds for this purpose, and 1t has oeeh CAV .
With some success, but not sufficient we
accomplish the object proposed we wouia ~e"
invoke the citizens of Richmond to come lor"S''"
and aid this noble and patriotic purpose
every day talking of Southern rights ana Nof'n
ern aggressions F.; of our dependence upon NoF'nein
manufacturers for almost every product OF human
industry which ia used in the house or upon tue
farm yet, with shameful inconsistency, we refuse
to take the first step to build up our own industry,
enable our own mechanics TO cope with those OF
other States, and retain in Virginia the immense
sums which are annually poured into the pockets
of abolition manufacturers. The enterprisDg men
of the North actually send vessels to Virginia, cut
down the trees of our own forests, take the tim
Der home and work it up into variety of articles
which they send back again to Virginia, and sell
.
shoulder to the development of mechanical indus.
try.
Its great misfortune that the plain and prac.
teal means of improving their condition has been
long overlooked, or held in small respect by the
people of Virginia. We are not of those who view
everything North As superior who are dazzled by
the outside show of prosperity in the North the
splendid horses and equpages of the rich who
see nothing of the cancer that is eating at the
heart of society who think nothing of the accu-
mulating mass of poverty which is confronting, in
fearful proximity, the accumulating mass of wealth
IN all the great Northern cities. But it must be
admitted that Northern mechanics, as a class, are
an honor to the section of whose wealth and enter
prise they are the chief pillars. They are educated
men, sometimes classically educated, respecting
Themselves and their vocation, and consequently
possessing their due share of consideration well
as influence in society. 1t is the aim of the Rich
mcnd mechanics to give the younger members of
their body intellectual training which will place
them at least upon an equal footing in intelligence
and efficiency with the mechanics of the North
Is it not your interest, citizens of Richmond to aid
them In this enterprisei We hear much of Balt;-
more rivalry of Baltimore, which absorbs every
thing, and our very legislation s shaped to thwart
the projects of Baltimore. Unless we can legisate
intelligent and liberal spirit of enterprise into
the heads and hearts of our people, we might a.
well permit Baltimore to have the field to herself
She has become prosperous rather by mechanical
industry than by commerce. By the same means,
Georgia is becoming of the first States of the
Union. Richmond, with facilities for becoming a
great manufacturing and mechanical town far gu
perior to those of Baltimore, neglects mechanical
interests and classes, and. as matter Of course,
ia left almost out of sight in the for greatness
now going on among the leading cities of the
Union Lot her come to the rescue, then, and
open her purse literally to the cause Of the me-
chanics, as we'll on her own account as on theirs