The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-06-18
MECHANICS,

The following is M extract from tho re-
cent address Of Gov. Wiso before tho Mo,
chanics Institute at Richmond, Va:-
"And science, astronomy, mathematics,
chemistry, natural philosophy and the fine
arts, music and painting, and architecture,
and all tho ordinary arts Of peace ana war,
are dependent upon the mechanic arts for
utensils and arms. Fulton was mechanic.
He not only taught the secret TO his coun-
try Of applying steam, and the art to a
Norris Of winning the victory Of peace, but
invented, too, tho most dangerous engine Of
war. lie took the torpedo to England, and
as trial Of skill blew up the brig Dorotha
in the presence Of the Board of British
Admiralty. (Chcers.) When the favorable
report was made to Mr.. Pitt, he said, Why
should England aid America in teaching
how to defend her cost agains the British
navy" And Franklin WAS q mechanic |!
and he taught his country how to snatch
the thunderbols from Jupiter, and Colt
how to apply the lightning to the "torpedo,"
so that now q single mechanic can sit on
the bank Of any river or roadstead, by the
side of galvauic pile not larger than hat
crown, and by touch Of 4 rope of wires,
connecting Fulton's "torpedos," send Frank
Inns electric spark to submarine magazines
which would blow the whole British navy
out Of water. And the secret once known,
mechanism has not stopped at applying
galvanism and electricity to the arts Of war !;
but the mechanic Morse has made iron
nerves for two worlds, aud the continents
and the seas to send intelligence to the ut
termost points Of the earth, by n fluid as
quick and sentient as that which flows
through organized beings from the brain
covered by any pia-mater.
"!And the learned professions theology,
law and mcdcinc-are equally dependent
upon the mechanic arts and their perfection.
Where would ali have been but for the
mechanism Of printing? But the tongues
of men and angels could not cnumcratc
these innumcrablc dependencies. They arc
infinite in variety and connection.
"Thc objects of the Institutes is TO exalt
the dignity Of mechanic labor. Who shall
despiso the arts upon which all else is de.
pendent? What civilization shall dcspisc
a labor upon which every civilization de-
pcnds !! Who shall tread upon the arts by
which men is fed and clothed and housed
and transported, and is raised to refinement
and the taste Of the fine arts, and the en-
joyment Of an elevation in the moral scale
Which cannot he reached but by physical
improvements Morse is a mechanic, Full
ton was q mechanic, Franklin was me-
cllanic, Sir Christopher Wren was me-
chanic, Newton was mechanic-God is a
mechanic. The triumphs Of mechanics arc
the triumplls of mankind. (Chcers.) a
German nobleman once, on visit to Italy,
being man of the world and pleasure,
spent most of his time at the theatres,
where he was much annoyed at the derision
constantly cast upon his country for her
Boetian temperament. In turn, hc pro-
posed an entertainment for the Italians
lie procured large dlapidated house, and
tho whole scene presented was one of the
streets of Rome. The time was night
Just before tho dawn Of day, weary tav-
eler was made to appear in the dcsolate
street. seeking where lie might find shelter
and accommodation. lie could find no in
labitants awake. lie threw himself down
upon piazza and waited for light and the
inhabitants to rise. Whilst he was sleep.
ing, the ghost of Cicero was made to ap-
pear, and approach the stranger, who
awokc, rose, took out watch, the horomc.
ter of that day, to SEQ the time of night
The ghost was surprised, and asked what it
was? The stranger explained it was n
mechanical instrument to measure time.
Wonderful" said the ghost. "Who in
vented that?" "The Germans" said the
stranger. Next he took out an almanac to
see when day would break and the sun rise.
" What is that!" said the ghost. The
stranger explained the art Of printing and
the astronomical calculations of tho calen-
dar. Wonderful, most wonderful" said
the ghost, "and who invented that gu
"The Germans" said the stranger. BY
this time the day began to peep, and the
stranger being impatient to be taken in
from the streets, lie beat the doors in vain,
and at last drew pistol and fired it of, to
arouse the sluggish slecpers. The ghost
started affrighted, and asked, :" What is
that'" A pisto! and gunpowder were ex-
planned. "More wonderful STILL" said the
ghost. "And who invented that2" "The
Germans" said the stranger. "Great and
wonderful people! And whilst they have
been progressing in all these arts, what