Daily national Democrat., 1858-09-26
Closing Address OF the Mechanics Insti-
tutc Fair.

Closing Address OF the Mechanics Insti-
tutc Fair.
The closing Address of the Fair of the Me-
chanics Institute was delivered on Thursday
night in Musical Hall, by the Rev. A. Ii. NY
ers, of Alameda We give the most practi-
cal portion of it, as follows;
What portion of our American youth are
learning trades Is there not throughout our
land an aversion to the system of appren-
ticeship," by which the art must be main
tanned? Once in " lille there may appear
a mechanical genius, who, without long train
ing and discipline, becomes eminent in the
art; but such instances are rare, and gener.
ally your genius becomes a "meteor" or
wandering star" like the present visitor to
our system, dazzling for a while but passing
away without blessing or improving civiliza-
tion or humanity. 1t is the patient, toiling,
persevering mechanic that tleavesfootprints be.
hind him. And such our youth must be-
come, if the top-stone of this magnificent su-
perstructure is to be laid "with shouting of
grace, grace unto it," But such will not.
cannot be, without regular system of train
ing. And why should they not enter and
submit to the discipline of this school? Can
they obtain position and promotion in the
Navy and Army of our Government upon
easier terms? Can they obtain the charge
of the books of banking or commercial house
of an insurance office-without discipline
in the arts of book k-keeping? viii they as
sumo the responsibility of the management
Of any business without training and dsci-
plne?
But, perhaps, this aversion is not SO much
in the minds of our youth as in the minds
and hearts of their parents. "What my son
a mechanic | scorn the thought My son
shall be scholar shall adorn profession, or
fill an honorable position in the government
of his country" Well said But if what
you say is true why not give him education
al advantages, until he reaches the proper
age, and then encourage him to acquire "a
trade, as not only the best and safest road to
an Independent and useful life but to the
honors that you believe are in store for him
in the temple Of fame. WAS Franklin ruined
by dipping candles, serving an apprentice
ship, and laboring as a mechanic ? Was
Washington ruined by carrying Surveyors
chain through the swamps and briars of Vir
ginia? Was Roger Sherman confined to in
fanny by hammering on lap stone? Or Eli
hu Burritt by the SCOT and sparks of the an
vii? Away with your aristocratic notions
man; you don't apprehend the spirit of the
age. Have you not heard that Labor is King,
and is about to assume the government of
this land? Already she has placed one OF
her favorite sons in the chair of state ia Old
Massachusetts, and others in the Senate
Chamber of our country. 1t is true, that to
govern men both from the internal and eX-
ternal is the highest of all earthly employ
ment-almost divine-though often conf
ded to the basest of men. Yet, why should
not the intelligent mechanic, who is familiar
with the machinery of our government, guide
the Ship of State :? 1t is an axiom in poll
tics chat government is best that governs the
least" l. is also an axiom in mechanics
simplicity is merit :" no fifth wheels in me-
chanics When the time shall come for me
chanics and laboring men to assume the riens
of government they will take off some of
Pharaoh's chariot wheels. "a word to the
wise is sufficient"
If we would remedy this evil, our system
of Collegiate education must be changed
Manual education must go hand in hand with
intellectual and moral culture. This is de
manded in order to proper physical develop
ment, and the formation os correct habits OF
thought and industry. Let your son return
from college with his mind well disciplined,
and stored with useful knowledge; his hands
Injured to toll, and well filled with evidences
of his mechanical Skill and with sound
constitution and manly frame, developed by
honorable labor The time has notyet come,
for the adoption of this system, but come it
must and will, or there is no truth in mans
destiny. The old and somewhat aristoeratic
system must work on a few years longer
sapping misunderstanding erroneous
views of social position and social life-turn'
ing men out upon society with no sympathie:
in common with the laboring Masses and
only partially qualified to meet its demand;
upon them. But, as certain as there is a gen
eral good time coming" just so certainly
will the attention of philanthropists and pa
triots be directed to this evil and the correc-
i've annlied