The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-06-13
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
rr,aay plsrnlns, ysne IS, 1850.
picchs mics, Institutc.


Mechanics, Institute.
We would once more most earnestly invoke 'ne
attention of our citizens 10 the considerations
xh,ch spneal 10 their potriof;s and their sHferfs
In behalf of aid 10 The mechanics OF k'cnnion'' -
erecting q suitable and convenient ouiq'ns 'o'
.he purposes of their Association were We ="
{ .,,,n. an. ore me.rs which, more than any other
-,,,,a ...rx. IN. Independence OF the South, II
..,.,,a :. a.. ,,,,,v.tion and development OF me-
1890, ,.s..,r, we would give more for an
.r,x - an instructed srtizans in the various de-
.r,,,.,,. ~ mechanic ART, than we would for the
h.s, .r,ny Of soldiers that ever disputed battle
aa,d The south Is independent of the North in
.v.r,,hiur but the products of mechanical skill
ana Ingenuity Give her the ability to fabricste for
horself every article necessary to the comfort and
convenience of her people. aud she may bid def
.nce TO the world. We submit this consideration
20 al, classes Of our citizens, including those who
are moseaverse to extreme measures against the
North. Can any man, In the whole length and
breadth of Virginia. refuse to aid this peacei"i e'
fort for her security and independence
Then we ask, how is this object to be accom-
p,ishedt How ear the mechanics of the South be
expected 10 compete with the mechanics Oh 'he
Nnr,h unless YOU place within their reach those
means of education, which are universally fur
nished to Northern mechanics, in every Northern
village as large as Manchester The mechanics Of
the South must have the same facilities Tor Obtain
ing intelligence both upon subjects belonging TO
their peculiar vocation and upon general subjects
which the mechanics of the Nortlpossess, or there
can be no fair competition between the two. The
iuteres SITS of our citizens as much involved in
the education of mechanics ~ their patriotism.
Richmond is marked out by the hand Of Nature for
a great manufacturing town. 1t is possible that
she may never become great commercial city
but, by cultvatug mechanic arts, she will inevi
tably become the great workshop of the South.
II is not commerce, but manufactures and mechan
cal labor, which have made Baltimore what she IS
This is admitted by all who have Investigated the
secret springs of her prosperity. Baltimore has
no such facilities as Richmond for attaining great
manufacturing prominence. We ought to be
n Manchester and Sheffield combined. But
to accomplish this result, in which the prosperity
of the city, aud of every individual citizen, is so
deeply involved, our mechanics must have some
means of education intelligence, and culture pac-
ed within their reach. noble beginning has been
made by the Mechanics Institute. The night
school which it has established has been largely
attended, and the pupils have manifested the deep
est interest in their studies. Some of them have
made remarkable proficiency. What is now need
ed is a building, suitable for this school, having
ample accommodations for the large numbers who
would attend if there were room, but are now un
able to do 80; for lectures, exhibitions and other
purposes essential to the success of the Institute
This building should not oaly be convenient in iti
internal arrangements, but attractive and imposing
in its outward appearance, as to be an ornament
TO the city, and proud monument of the taste
liberality and intelligence of its people. Thus fal
the contributions have been generous and noble
Let the good example be emulated, until it il
crowned with triumph equal to its merits