New-York tribune., 1875-02-23
CELEBRATION BY UNITED MECHANICS.

CELEBRATION 81 JNllED MECHANlCS.
xpDKEssEs AND IXEGCIsEs BEFORE THE UNITED
OLDLE OF AMERICAN MECHANICS AT THE COOPER
UNION.
A large and enthusiastic audience assembled
tue Cooper Union yesterday afternoon TO participate
the celebration Of the day. under the Of the
United Order OF American Mechanics. The large hall
crowded. aud the platform sat The officers of the
Order. Among the members present were Col. John
missing the presid,ng officer Of the occasion George
White. HobokeD, n. j.; Capt. II. o. Nichols, Athens ~
T.. A W. Topping. NewYOrk; Benjamin Van Riper
Jersey city; L r. Brown. New WORK; II. Van Brunt
sew.Xork; James COX. BayOnne N. j.; George
Hardy, BrooLlyn Col. Voss, New-York; W. II. Barker
Brooklyn aud Charles Merritt Jersey City The music
faf0isLed by Stones lst Regiment band. After
Introductory speech by Col Missing prayer offered
BY George White. The first speaker was the Rev.
Matthew Hale smith After referring 70 the age OF the
Society he SAID that /, was q downward step 10 decay
Wben respec; for the National fathers lost II is
sttbg y" Keep iresh ana bright the memory OF Washing
on for hc gave Apcrcans their flag, their Constitl-
non and ms wonderful example. He made himself
shat he was. IL Is well 10 e1alt noble who
y labor IL no, ~ 10 live. our Tag was taken from
Washington, own cOatofarms. Bur not the flag alone
should We take Tou BIN, bat also his principles. We
,bodld welcome all nations, but only Americans.
Iis county 10 Oe kept a. our fathers it to
che Rev. L. {. sweeser next spoke OF Washington's
Birthday mare than simple holiday. He be-
beyed IN holidays. Men need them 10 give elias
sot agree with Judge Blatchiord who thought
he hest way of celebrating the day for
aon 20 about their business, and not spend their
A'ne ~ noting. We should welcome whatever gives
fe't aud relc from daily duties and be thankful for
Any mRu VINO was born great enough or lived great
hoag1 Or died great enough make a national hOf-
y But besides its holiday character this day should
4Vhe ns Into communion with Washington. His charae-
@ tAi s p+oomlIg more ana more understood. Men
bse mDnbta talue; when close al hand cannot deter
hhC Nhich ~ tne greatest Alta distance, however
sbe tm"h Dies s)nk and the great Ones rise Washing
Iof IcatLss OF character the national Inheritance
Tue secret Of nis greatness his faJhfuinesa He
gas be GENUS 10 The ordinary meaning Of word
~ Lad OILY moucfate education, and more na tura
advantages than thousands of others But he did his
tinty fhbuny III sinsI things, until God called him 10
~ ruler great things While We epioy this day We
saoud GEEK 10 gain hs spirit. and by emulssine his
manly virtues become trucr citizeps aud better men
JDe ReV. T. A. Harvey Of mItdletoWn n Y said
fncpa other things thar the Order Of American Ne.
shaus founded TO aid the members OF the socetv
10 gan:rs them employment, and for support In sick
ness II Il composed OF Americans, but favors no nos
tilty 20 foSeinsrs. IL grew naturally of deslrs
for selfprotSs0D In monarchical lands labor IL de-
grading. 1hs mechanics Of Europe occupy o low
sphere and rec <ye low rate Of wages American me-
eianies need lsbCv ee vaed aud there
demand for skilled labor They want also 10 live iD
sRiinW and resDse'spin!y sne With sdosstiolai I'D,