The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-11-28
A Word to Southern Mechanics.

"A word to Southern Mechanics.
We take the following elegant extract
from the address of w. W. Holden, ESQ.,, de
livered at the Cumberland N. G. Fair, on
the Sd inst, and reported in the Newbern
Daily Progress. The remarks are as appli-
cable to the mechanics Of this State or the
entire South as they are to those Of North
Carolina. The mechanical and manutactu-
ring interests of the South having been sut-
fered to fall almost into total decay, is one
reason why the people of the South are now
the almest abject slaves of the North. Once
arouse proper spirit in the mechanics of
the South, nurture, supp ort, and patronize
them, and abolition tanatcsm will be chok-
ed down at the North forever. One million
of dollars invested in Southern mechanical
operations will do more to make the South
Independent than one hundred thousand
armed men can do in battle, even ifsuccess
crowned their arms. The union is price.
less gift to the people of the South if they
would profit by it; but curse, if they suf
fer themselves to be made the tools of the
designing knaves who fatten upon wealth
which should be kept amongst US, by the
proper fos tering of the mechanical and man
ufacturing interests of the South.
Mr. Holden in conclusion said.
have said, fellow citizens, that agricul-
ture is the chief pursuit OF man yet it is
dependent on, and indissolubly connected
with the mechanic arts. They exist togeth-
er, they flourish together, or they languish
and decline together. Slight, neglect, injure
one, and you injure the other. 1.-THE farmer
feeds us, the mechanic clothes us. Ii the
farmer looks to the soil for support, and for
sustenance for others, he looks to it and la
bors in it with the implements which the
mechanic has placed in his hands Every
ship that sails; every fertilization that tow
ers along the deep; every improvement
upon our rivers, lakes and seas every town
and city that adorns the surface of the
world; every temple dedicated to law, art,
science and religion every telegraph wire,
annihilating space; every steam car, ami
ting the interests and sympathies of distant
communities every.teleseope, sweeping the
heavens and bringing other worlds largely
before our vision, every microscope, reveal
ing the hidden wonders of the world around
us; every printed book, which informs, in
structs, delights, and elevates the mind;
every fabric and contrivance which cOntri-
butes to our convenience and comfort, or
which protects US from the heat of summer
and the cold of winter, is the direct result OF
mechanical ingenuity, industry, and skill.
Let no man be ashamed of mechanical la
Dor. Some of the greatest and best men
that ever graced the earth with their pres
ence, were mechanics. The hard hand Of
toll is infinitely more honorable than the
soft hand of sloth and luxury. Rather let
the mechanic be proud of his skill, of his in
dustry, and of his usefulness to society. Let
him honor his vocation, land his vocation will
honor him. The true test of merit is in the
performance of duty in whatsoever situation
we may be placed. Tried by this test, the
mechanics and working men are the equals
of any and all others. Be true, gentlemen
mechanics, to yourselves, to your country,
and to your God. Be loyal to your State and
its interests, as you always have beer, and as
your brother mechanics were before GU,
who followed Washington, the farmer, and
Greene, the blacksmith, and Morgan. the
WAGNER, and Sherman, the shoemaker and
Franklin, the printer, in the war of indie
pendence. Remember that you are now a
power in the State; and that Common
Schools and internal improvements are con-
stantly increasing your intelligence, your
influence, and your power. Remember that
labor Of all kinds, rightly appreciated and
justly protected and rewarded ia the han
| are seen every where, benefitting. gladden.
ing and blessing the earth. Labor, of what
soever kind, is the life of the State. :. hen
it prospers, all interests flourish; when If
languishes, all interests are depressed. LET
us, then cherish, encourage and honor Il.
and let the mechanics, whose interests and
destlnies are inseparably associated with
those OF the farmers, resolve to do their full
part in advancing the prosperity and AUG
menting the glory of our good old State.
"Toil swings the axe, and forests bow:
The seeds break out in radiant bloom
Rich harvests smile behind the pillow.
And cities cluster round the loom
Where tottering domes and tapering spres
Adorn the vale and crown the hill
Stout Labor lights its beacon fires,
And plumes with smoke the forge and hill
The monarch oak, the woodlands pride.
Whose trunk Is scanned with lightning scars.-
| Toll launches on the restless tide.
And there unrolls the flag OF stars
| The engine with its lungs OF flame,
| And ribs of brass and joints of steel.
From Labor's plastic fingers came.
| With sobbing valve and whirling wheel.
! IT'S Labor works the magic press.
| And turns the crank in hives OF toll
And beckons angels down to bless
Industrious hands on sea and SOIL
Here sun-broWned Toll, with shining spade,
Links lake to lake with silver ties,
Strung thick with palaces of trade,
And temples towering to the Skies"
prayer for the President of the United
states has been introduced into the services of