The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-24
A Word TO the Mechanics.
he Editor Of The State Journa, :


To Me Editor of the State Journal:
Too much faith is put in systems; we
should look more to men. "Heaven helps
those who help themselves" is we'll
tried maxim, embodyng in small COM
pass the results of vast human experience.
Help from without is often enfeebhpg in
its effects but help from within invariably
invigorates. Men who are subjsct to over
guidance, and are over-governed, are liable
to become comparatively helpless. Free
dom in all things is an inaieuable right to
man. For its protection we have laws,
but these, am sorry to say, are admins
tered by the few, without the consent of
the many.
The best institutions can give man no
active aid; perhaps, the best they can do.
is to leave him free to develop himself, and
improve his individual condition. In all
times men have been prone to believe that
their happiness and well-beipg was to be
secured by institutions, rather than by
their own conduct. Hence the value of
legislation, as an agent of human advance
ment. has ever been greatly over-estimated
recognize as proper, the unflinching
efforts of mechanics and men of labor
throughout this State, to alleviate their
financial and social condition, which justly
deserves the countenance AID support OF
all good and honorable men. | believe the
time has come for every mechanic to put
his shoulder to the great machine, and push
with might, the great work of promoting
the interests of labor, and securing their
advancement in education and social eleva-
ton. l beleveitis duty devol wing upon
all to assert and maintain equality of
rights. In such a country as this, if it is
not sought, we are not worthy to have it.
Believing, as | do, that temperance,
morality and religion form the chief basis
of good society, assert that it is the in
terest of humanity that the working
classes should receive the means Of at
tsining general culture, and they who
toll ten hours day are peers of the
richest and proudest. / rejoice that,
despite the many beart-rendering conflicts
in political aud social life, this grand old
State has reared her noble head and her
mechanics bow to 90 master. And be-
lieye that every workingman should be
ready to enlist earnestly to secure her
success and prosperity. | claim for them
rights which eau only be obtained oy
legislation and, therefore, will ever hold
that we are entitled to our share of repre-
sentation 10 the councils of the State and
nation.
The representatives of the people of late
years have been chosen without regard to
the claims of those working at skilled la
Dor and | bold as mechanic, that we
should henceforth use the ballot as the best
and safest way to accomplish this end
which is necessary for our social and pecn-
mary advancement. recognize none bet
ter qualified in the councils OF the people
than the man who is thoroughly identified
with us as mechanic. What has passed
cannot now be recalled but knowing as
l do what Can be done in the future. | call
upon the mechanics to look well to their
interest. We can have what we want. if
we will do what is right 1t may be COM
paratively of little consequence how
man is governed from without, while eve
rything depends upon how be is governed
within. Ths solid foundation of liberty
must rest upon individual character,
which is also the only sure guarantee of
social happiness aud national progress.
In this consists the real strength of the
workingmen.
The workingmsn feel that they are free,
not merely because they live under those
free institutions which they have assisted
to build up, but because each member of
that class has the interest of the country
at heart; and striving to enjoy that right,
not only by freedom of speech, but by their
strict adherence to the law under which
they live as free people.
Such as Virginia is, she has been made so
by the thinking and laboring of her peo-
Pile. The action of the least know persons
has contributed to this general result. 1t
is skill that has brought order out of chaos,
aud started the machinery of industry.
Science and art is an inheritance be-
queathed to man, and it is our duty, as a
society, to hand it down to our successors
unimpaired.
This spirit has in all times been mark
ed feature in the character of skilful me-
chanic, and furnishes the true measure Of
our power as class. Rising above the
herds of the masses there have been few
individuals, distinguished beyond others
equally as skilful and who should have
claimed public homage. Our progress as a
class has also been owing to multitude
of men unknown in history. Only the
generals name may be known in history
on great campaign, still it has been main
ly by the bravery of the private soldier
that the victory was won.
"The toiling hands alone are builders
or a nations wealth and fame"