Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-04
For the Spirit of the Age

For the Spirit of the Age.
Mr.. EBgToR=-Seeiug an invitation in your
noble paper for yeur Tesders to become con-
tributcrs, | have been induced to make a few
remarks ON the position Of Mechanics in So
ciety. I hav often heard the remark made
by the Mechanic himself, that the Mechanics
in the SOuthern States are not appreciated
according to their just merits. This is very
true indeed; and where, we ask, in all the
world is the Mechanic rightly comprehended
by the class known under the name of aris-
tOcracy? Aristocracy and pauperism exist
on every spot of this inhabitable globe hence
the sccrnful principle of the former must ever
he expecte- to be exercised fully towards the
working class, so long as it is in existence
But should the frowns and the contemplate
sneers of that useless class of humanity, cause
the Mechanic to think the less of the name
he bears? ] answer emphatically. no And
to those who are prone by such means to dis
enlargement, | would first say-stop, and
ask yourselves the question--who and what
is the Mechanic? before they look upon the
name they bear with disgust, because of the
sneers of this self styled nobility. What sig
mites the term Mechanic? In my mind there
is embraced exceedingly more importance
in this term than thousands of persons i'm
!, agine and L if the reader will follow me for a
| few moments, | will try and give the true an
; swer to the question. Let us not be under
stood as overlooking the laboring farmer, or
: the man who tolls with his pickaxe in the
deep cavities of the earth. These, together
: with the Mechanic, are all useful and honora-
: BILE, and we may add, that all true honor and
Y happiness now in the world, is the result of
e the Mechanic and the laboring men. Were
], it not for the laboring community, there
would no M nrnprpcSiOn in oithor - or ~
all would be on a stand. This now beautiful
: country whose praises are on the to CUES of
all nations, would still be a dense forest IN
> habited only by the wild savages. This
{ statement already shows what has been &C
q complished by the class now under conside-
l. ration. But we pass on, to ask aristocracy
!, who are clothed in purple and fine linen and
v fare sumptuously every day, to let the thought
enter their brain, that every blessing and lux
ury they now have, or may ever expect to
!" have, come through the hand of the laboring
N community. Do those who look upon the
hard working Mechanic with a sheer, ever
stnp in their ~splendor and self conceit to re-
IN feet who it is that furnishes the tasty and
10 fashionable garments which envelope their
Il lordly bodies or do they ever think who it
is that builds their gorgeous mansions II
- which they live so happy and comfortable
w ucH C1cy are StdGcu Ill LilelF carriages d
re, taste and splendor, whose elatic springs carry
them over the paved streets with so mucl
it ease and comfort, does the thought ever en-
en- ter their noble heads, that it is the work q
the mechanic? Or when he is carried will
untold comfort owe: hills and Wales, brook
and rivers, at the rate of thirty miles pc
az hour, drawn by the mighty and %untirin
lat Steed of iron, does his lofty mind comprehen
so the meaning of laboring humanity ? Or whe
rst he is standing on the wharf of some great SCI
on port, and beholds the wonderful works
70 man displayed upon the magnificent f1oatin
palaces which are moved across the bosom
" the mighty waters by the power of that gre;
Se- and noble NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he in a
or either of the above positions, think pro-
IN erly Of the sources from whence all his cor
flu forts come? He certainly does not, or !
would exhibit a different spirit towards Il
ION Mechanic and the working class of men. Th
body of self concelted aristocracy. who loo
'rS down upon the hard working class as almo
VI an actual disgrace to community, have yet
learn the lesson which is too plain to adm
'cd, of contradiction-that earth's truest sons a
Mechanics and honest laboring men and W
cen men. Again, | say, that if ever the Mechar
IN has occasion to be discouraged, let him Ievit
the above facts as they are, and if bless
with common sense, he will go his way
joicing, feeling al honest degree Of pride
ght the name he bears. As for my self, | ask
.ey nc name more honorable than that of the \
use, chanic; tho | had the wealth and rank Of
he lordly prince, it should never be said l. of me
on he s ashamed of the name of a Mechanic
bor Far from it. | glory in the name. Let it
ide, vnn would ;nscr;ha honor 70 NV name sf,e
{, d lave ceased to move and act on this earth
her ask let it be inscribed on the humble ste
" which may mark the spot of my sepulturt
Ieen Here lies a Mechanic. c. b. d.
,er's A YOUNG -CoACHMAKER
n 10 Rogers Store, Wake county, N. G.