Year: 1870

To the Mechanics and Laborers of


North Carolina.


Gentlemen and felLo,o citizens Il have IN
tended for some time past to call you atten
tiGn to some facts connected with your i'll
tcrcsts us mechanics and laborcrs do not
desire, nor do believe the employers or
the iaborers and mechanics, entertain a dis
position of oppression. Their interests
should be the same, that of building mp our
good old State in all its departments


What then fciow-citizens is the first duty {?


1t is to elect as your representatives in The
next General Assembly, men pledged to in
troduce and support such measures as viii
suit best the necessities of these classes -
This will be the greatest benefit to Tie great
est number.


1t may he said that there is no use of ful-
ther legislation on this subject because We
have, already, lien law. That is true hut
it is only the initiating step providing for
the most numerous class in the State TIE
lier law is good in all its provisions and,
perhaps, may need nothing more in that di-
rection, but stop at this point and what
will bc the condition of these classes at the
end of ten years? 1t will be no better than
it is now. The laborcrs and mechanics must
be provided with agricultural and mechani-
cal schools. and when this is accomplished
the farmers will be able, with small out
lay, to determine what certain piece of
land may need to make it produce as he may
desire. Mechanics will not only be able to
manage and run any kind of machinery, but
will be able to invent and make many use
f,,1 olo I,a in tho T,tn al
ligent laborers and mechanics are very cs-
sential in our State at the present time and
such schools as l have mentioned will give
employment, improve our people, improve
society, and na!p to pay the pubiIc dept.A
Fcllowcitizcns why is itNllat we have so few
manufacturing establi shments? Is it because
we haye hut ta.s o, what ought to be called
mechanics? If should commence the man.
ufacture of agricultural implements l would
be compelled to send North, or elsewhere,
for such mechanics as would be able to com
plete the work properly. .-.-.


Suppose some firm manufactured all the
agricultural implements sold and used, in
this State, would it not be good business?
Why cannot this be so? We have the best
and cheapest water power in the world, iron
in abundance, and timber of all kinds
Then, if we are to prosper, let us commence
soon with our lien law, and other laws, to
encourage the laborers ard mechanics, and,
by the introduction of schools for that pur-
pose, make our farme-s and mechanics as in
telligent and as much respected as other
professional men of the State. When this shall
have been accomplished we will be enabled
to elect such representatives in the Legisla-
turc as will know and understand the wants
of the masses. The people are ripe for
these measures, and let us strike while the
iron is at white heat. Ask our represen-
tatives to pledge themselves to give us, as
far as we may now be able, Mechanical and
Agricultural schools; and to extend to us
the same advantages that they have to 9th.
ers, who are being educated for other pro-
fessions. Let them grant this and provide
us with the same protection in our daily
labors as they have in matters of interest in
insurance companies and interpretations
generally, when in the latter case we came
in and prepared all the labor at very small
price, and we will show them whether VIC
can appreciate it or not. Ask them to
protect and sustain us in all our efforts to
build up the State and we will move for
ward with such progress as was never seen
or felt before.


In conclusion, must refer to the facts
that We have been provided with Il home
stead law, and also lien law. These have
been given lis by the party in power, and ii
is duty we owe to our wives and children
to do our utmost to retain them in force
To do this, VIC are necessarily compelled tc
cast our suffrage for Republicans. The
Democrats and Conservatives declare they
will abolish these laws


Should that be done we will then have
the whipping post, the cropping of ears and
Imprisonment for debt, &C., as heretofore.
Remember fellow citizens, that we have
Just emerged from civil war, and we have
by the grace of God, succeeded in abolish
ing those barbarous laws. Let US not return
to them as the sow doth return to her wal
low.


am very respectfully your obd't serv't.
G. l.. HARRIS.