change to be wrought is, the elevation of the children of the people, not the safety and perpetuity of classes. All hail to his noble effort! it stirs thought, and awakens sympathy; its results will be good, although not such as he has anticipated.

But still it is asserted, and with much plausibility, and an appeal to facts to substantiate it, that the physical condition of the working classes in England has deteriorated, and it is the new application of science to the arts which has brought about this result. This opinion has gained much curerncy recently, from the admissions of Lord John Russell, in his speech at the close of the late session of Parliament; but, if we take his testimony, we should also that of Lord Brougham, and Macaulay, who testify the reverse. I say this, not to palliate any of England's sins, but to trace them to their true source. It is a fact, which cannot be disputed, that while manufactured articles are cheaper in England than they were fifty years since, agricultural products are much dearer. The reason of this is obvious, first, from the nature of its legislative enactments, its corn laws, and the peculiar organization of Parliament, to which an allusion has already been made, and, secondly, to the fact that machinery has not been brought to aid the farmer, as it has the mechanic. If machinery had increased the productions of the agriculturalist, as it has that of the manufacturer, this contrast in prices would not have taken place; benefits would have followed alike in each department, equitable to both producer and consumer.

But, not to dwell longer on England, let us now turn to our own country, and consider its history and condition. Who were its founders? Noble-hearted men, who de

termined to be free, escaped from the institutions of the old world, and laid, upon a virgin soil, the foundations of a republic. With a sad experience of the past, and a bright hope for the future, they laid, broad and deep, the bases of our social and political edifice.

Their right of possession was acquired in the only legitimate way; either by purchase, or their own labor and industry. In the cultivation of the earth, making it subservient to the happiness of man, for whom it was intended, they secured a title-deed which arms and force could never have given them. No land barons, deriving their power from the hereditary despotism of ancient days, lord it over our heritage. Honestly was its first proprietors endowed with it, and just laws secure its division and descent to posterity. Our legislators, instead of being our masters, are our servants; the power with which they act, we delegate to them, and it soon returns to its source. Taxes, instead of pampering an idle and bloated aristocracy, are economically applied to the public good. No large standing army in times of peace eat up substance without an equivalent. No gorgeous church establishment tampers with our conscience, or drains our purse to support its worldly prelates. Industry is free to seek its own sphere of labor, and finds its reward. The education of the child we consider as necessary as his food and raiment; and the tendency of our whole progress and civilization, leads to the expansion and development of our country, and the character of our people, rather than to luxury and ease. To say that the people of such a nation, with such advantages, are to become degraded and besotted like the masses of the old world, is a sad commentary upon the wisdom and faith of those who hold such opinions. With the eye of an intelligent

faith, which is itself prophecy, we see that such cannot be
the destiny of our country; the hopes of mankind are not
thus to be crushed; the great march of humanity, of
which we lead the van, is not to be brought to a sudden
halt; we are to go on, and, like our own national bird,
“Firm, on his own mountain vigor relying;
Breasting the dark storm; the red bolt defying;
His wing on the wind, and his eye on the sun,

He swerves not a hair, but bears onward right on.
Columbia, like the eagle's flight, such shall be thine!
Onward, and upward, and true to the line."

Let us, then, have a faith, strong and enduring, in the perpetuity and continued usefulness of our institutions. Let us guard them from open foes without, and insidious enemies within. Away with the narrow jealousy between brethren engaged in the different avocations of society! Let us not be cheated out of propriety by brazen-faced demagogues, who, previous to an election, pander to the lowest prejudices. Kind souls! who take upon themselves the care of the dear people, puffed up with cant, and a mawkish sympathy for their wrongs, but who are, in reality, drones in the political hive, seeking only for its honey. To no class do they so often address themselves as to the mechanic. Away with them! let scorn meet their contemptible insults, and the panoply of truth, and self-respect, will protect us from their envenomed shafts and dastardly manœuvres. I speak strongly on this point, for I feel strongly; my voice may be as "a pebble against the tide," a breath against the whirlwind; but it is given with a right good will.

Enough of a general character has been uttered; let us now devote the remainder of our time to the consideration of topics, particular and local in their character, but equally pertinent to the hour and the occasion.

The Association, at whose anniversary we have assembled, held its first meetings during the early part of the year 1795. The preliminary meeting was called anonymously, by Col. Henry Purkitt, through the columns of the Columbian Centinel, published by Benjamin Russell. This meeting was held at the Green Dragon Tavern, a house rich in interesting historical reminiscences, it being the head quarters of the sons of liberty, immediately preceding, and during, the revolutionary struggle. Some of the early founders of this Association had been members of that secret committee, composed principally of mechanics, who, in connexion with Hancock and Adams, and Drs. Warren and Church, were combined to watch the movements of the British soldiers, and the conduct of the tories.

Paul Revere presided over this first meeting, and was subsequently chosen President, when the Association was duly organized on the evening of April 16th, of the same year. It was first called the Boston Mechanics Association, afterwards the Associated Mechanics of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and finally was incorporated under its present name, in 1806.

It is a curious commentary upon the times to learn, how severe a struggle the Association had to encounter, before they could procure an Act of Incorporation. The records. give evidence that, from year to year, for ten years, able committees were appointed to wait upon the General Court, and finally with success.

There seemed to be a fear that the Association would monopolize influence, manage trade, and regulate prices to the detriment of other classes in the community. To

those who were acquainted with its design, or the charactee of us funders, such prejudices must create a smile. It has no doubt, welded an important influence, but it has been conservative and healthy in its character, and for the grners, good of all conditions of the common weal. The Assocating has always embraced a large proportion of the mechan terest of the city, and the Commonwas it, and maced a larger number of members than ET SZAT Estration in the world. Its beneficial obmes are so apparent, that it is a matter of surprise that all who are concerned for the character and welfare of their pedlesson and can legally become members, do not join 1: does not hold out all the advantages it should, it

to consider of them, and if the progress of the age sggests new improvements, to incorporate them into the

Assocation.

It has done much to give that character for probity, and inte gence, which the Mechanics of this community as a Class have enjoyed, and its numerous members, who have been the recipients of public honors, and borne their share of exalted public burdens, have alike gained a good reputation for themselves, and reflected credit upon the Association. Probably under no other organization, has there been a larger number of able public-spirited individuals, whose services have been oftener required in promoting the public weal: they have stood first, and foremost in every good work, and have sprung with alacrity to services ardent and burdensome in their character.

Since the formation of the Association, there is no doubt that the social position of the mechanic, particularly as regards wealth, and the enjoyments and luxuries of life, has much improved. And here, perhaps, there is a dan