196 [Assemble 



Exhibiton of 1851, and the Crystal Palace for the exhibition of 

 the industry of all nations, now approaching its completion in this 

 eity, are compelling labor to satisfy itself no longer with partial 

 merit. The hand that can fabricate what the public taste now 

 demands, must be guided and governed by a brain capable of 

 mastering the mysteries of the science on which its art is founded. 

 The quick eye, the ready hand, tlie dextrous touch, will then 

 lighten and facilitate labor, and relieve it of somewhat of its irk- 

 someness. 



Give us a true and complete national independence, instead of 

 looking to foreign nations for the most beautiful, finished, and 

 perfect products of human labor, an,d you shall see the best, most 

 fniitful and most cultivated minds, seeking employment in those 

 industrial arts which enrich and adorn our country. Have you 

 not already noticed that the young men who annually leave our 

 eolleges, are less and less inclined to flock into the so-called 

 learned professions ? Have you not observed that they are more 

 disposed than formerly to become architects, engineers, artists, in- 

 vcKtors, hand-worker^Sj as well as head-v/orkers ? Give them but 

 the field ot labor; cease to look abroad for the luxuries which 

 prosperity has converted into necessaries ; give to American la- 

 bor tlie privilege of doing American work, and you shall have a 

 race of artisans, skilful, educated, scientific ; competent not only 

 to build your cities, discover your inventions, adorn your temples 

 and palaces, but also to understand the policy and advise the 

 measures of your government ; able alike to defend your institu- 

 tions from the assaults of the foreign invader, a»d the arts of the 

 domestic dema^o^'ue. 



-o^o' 



THus is taken the first step towards the elevation of labor. 

 Another is to increase its compensation. Mankind Lave a habit 

 of graduating the rank of labor by the recompense it receives. 

 How shall this be increased 1 * 



The tendency of national independence in manufactures and 

 the mechanic arts is to place the laborer on the vantage ground, 

 and enable him, to a reasonable extent, to make his own terms. 

 The rate of wages, like every thing else for which aprice is paid, 



