The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-04-22
RALEIGH, April 10Th, 1868.

MEssRs. EDITORS Having concluded my
last communication with the words, more
anon, I deem it my duty as Mechanic to
continue the same IN defence of my fellow
workmen, many of whom have not had the
same experience or observation of RepublI-
can institutions, but have been subject to the
will of what might be termed the slave dig
archy of the present party in power, and are
still trying to keep you and me in total
slavery, in political point of view. To SUBJ
stantiate what say, / will merely put to
you the following propositions for your
calm and unbiased consideration, viz:
1st In the former Constitution of North
Carolina who held the balance of power O.
Was it not the proprietor of landed estates,
and claimed the negro as his wealth; and,
when poor, white mechanic or laborer ap-
preached him in his mental capacity, was he
not looked upon with disgust, and his ne
gres taught to consider him not on an equal
with him-and the same feeling still pre-
dominates in the same race yet.
2ndly. If mechanic was fortunate
enough to obtain a job of work, which
could not be done by the slaves, if these par
ties. when he completed the said job or con-
tract, and the building committee or the
party representing the finances of the said
building, saw fit to take the work as
completed, he had the power to claim the
same without renumerating the mechanic
and unless the said mechanic relinquished
the said building, he could sue for damages.
As regards the bonds of the State, of which
SO much has been said. Mechanics weigh
this matter we'll in your minds, before you
o.,r,o - daoi1o6 Stand nm fbof y,oiof For
instance, the bonds of the State of North
Carolina at the present juncture of affairs,
are literally worth nothing You cannot
raise enough capital to keep the laborer at
work. Suppose you secure the credit of the
State bonds every body will have faith in
the good old North State, and money can
be gotten on the said bonds, at least at so
or 80 cents on the dollar. The internal inn
provements of the State will be pushed for
ward, and money will be circulated; where
as, now it is almost miracle for man lin
the company of the mechanic of whom I
speak, to say on Saturday night, that he is
| five dollars ahead of expenses for his weeks
or months work.
Now weigh the matter well. Who holds
the bonds of this State Is not the Rail-
roads the principal depository of the said
bonds And what will carry out this Rail-
road project, if the said Roads will have
to mortgage what little Improvements they
have made, previous to the rebellion at least
at so per cent discount, to keep the Roads
in running order2 Or, is it not better to
strengthen the credit of these bonds, and
let them improve with the bonds now in
their possession, without sacrificing what
little they have already accumulated? God
knows we have lost enough already by the
revolution of public sentiment; and let us
act calmly, and try to heal the wounds which
have already been given, and trust to the
God of nature for forbearance and fortitude
in times to come.
Now, if you will look upon the picture Of
taxation, on whom will this heavy taxation
fall7 Why should the mechanic or the la.
bcrer object to itY Who owns the larges
landed estates Those who have held tn,
sceptcr since the formation of the State gov
eminent can name parties in this city
who own almost all the prominent sites 70
Improvements, who will not sell or improv
the same. How can a community prospe
under these circumstances, where mechani
cal interest is concerned2 Then make then
sell, improve, or pay taxes on the same.
Now, ponder on this subject. Shall you
progeny suffer as you have done, and defea
the Constitution 2-or will you release your
self from this thraldom of aristocratic rule
under which you have labored for wears
! Ponder well on this subject before you vote
More Anon. MECHANIC.