The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-05
The American Mechanic

We fui in the Pittsburg papers a
tuii report vi au excellent speech, de-
fyrrcd before the United Order Of
Nment7n Mechanics in that city by
Nr r. W. Burns, Of Philadelphia, the
.7uciuding portion IF which, on the
\meucan mechanic, We give below:
would ike O. present two ideas -
~ WI the American mechanic
t9. 'rrrjy tone.
h. What DE has set TO do.
Here, lH Tu,burg, a person who
niI. walk around your city and neigh
hourng places need not be told what
the skill nl industry ofthe American
mechanic has done. Any one who
wil'. as uil but yesterday. within a
few minutes II / O'clock, enter a car
40 West Philadelphia, and find myself
al 1880 O'Clock at night IN the city Of
Pittsburg after a smooth and easy ride
over the rugged hills Of Pennsylvania !;
any one Who will see the magnificent
piece of machinery as it mounts the
sides Of the Alleghanies-a person who
observes these things need not be told
what the American mechanic has done.
All see Ihr city and country, the
magnificent structures that are being
erected hy brains and hands OF the
American mechanic.
Within the past few years the
American mechanic has accomplished
results that make our country the mar
vel OF ,he world. 1t is the age Of
American imp oycment, and nothing in
thy history Of the civilized world shows
more graudly than the power and skill
that have been put into machinery by
the genius Of the American mechanic
need not say american exclusively,
because other nations have taken part
~ this natter, but there is more # it
done in our country.
Passing to the other point Of the
subject, Tat j., what the American
mechanic has yet to DO: 1t is 80 accom-
piish the great work If our Order-the
elevation Of the mechanic and working
man in the social scale, not a. the OK.
pcnse Of any other class, but q benefit
the whole community. Many Of the
mechanics Ot this country a~1 able to
build better houses d to furnish them
better than they do. They can pro
vide books ana pictures, and refining
influences IN greater abundance than
they do. For whatever Of evil and
degradation comes upon our children
we are IN q great measure responsible
There IL in the early history Of The
American republic much that is great
that is noble--much hat we may wei
I've proud Of; and We cannot too mucl
ponder upon the character of the mel
who founded this great republic, ant
tie institutions they introduced int,
this country. If We allow our children
tD grow worse and worse, and do no
stimulate them TO honorable acts. on
latter days will be as unworthy as on
early days were glorious.
81 have said we design to elevate tn
American mechau c to that position i
society 70 which he is entitled VIVA
ls that: Certainly those who do mos
for the country and society are entities
TO the best positions. Those who Civ
Their time, their energy, and thei
brains TO useful work, who endeavor t
rear families to virtue and honor, an,
70 make their children ornaments, a
Wen as useful, TO society, are entille
70 proper consideration in the world.
w E claim not rank or tile for th
American mechanic; we claim not fo
him those shows and trappings tbs
dazzle tie unthinking; bat We 4