The Effects of the Introduction of Mechanical Improvements.

It is not uncommon to hear people speak against new inventions in general terms, thus advocating the policy of restricting the community to the present facilities and conveniences, or rather of retrograding to a state of barbarism, as many nations have done before. We are not disposed to express our opinions of the intellectual condition of those who uniformly discourage and oppose the advance of improvements, either moral or scientific. Some contend openly that the introduction of labor-saving improvements in machinery, is a disadvantage to the community at large, inasmuch as it diminishes the demand for labor, and consequently deprives many laborers of employment; but we shall endeavor to show the fallacy of this position in a manner too plain to be misunderstood. We would first remark, however, that if this point is conceded, it will go directly to prove and establish the propriety of abandoning, at least gradually, the various labor-saving mechanical inventions which are now in use.

Suppose, for instance, that we decried the printing press and apparatus, (suppressing of course, at the same time, the importation of foreign prints) what an immense demand would immediately be produced for scribes and copyists; or if we discard carriage wheels, how many thousands of porters would be required for the conveyance of merchandise. This course would not only give employment to many more people than are now required, but the price of this kind of labor, would be greatly enhanced. Horses, also, and other beasts of burden would be in great demand, and command vastly higher prices than at present; moreover, provisions would become so exceedingly cheap in the country, that a laborer or carrier might probably obtain five times as much for a day's work, as he can under our present system of facilities. But the effect that the measure would have on the interest of the farmers and the merchants, is another consideration. We might enlarge on this part of our subject by supposing the plough also, and the loom, and even the axe and other tools to be discarded; but we think it needless, presuming that no one will be disposed seriously to advocate the policy of such a course. But as our facilities are considered to be now in a state bordering on perfection, why should we be constantly striving to improve them? Especially, considering that many mechanics and laborers often find it difficult to obtain employment. To this we answer, that the general effect of the introduction of mechanical improvements, is diametrically opposite to that which this question supposes; and in support of this position we shall offer a few incontrovertible illustrations, commencing with what is termed cotton machinery.

The Gin for loosening the cotton and separating the seeds therefrom, will, with the attendance of one man, accomplish as much work as ten men could without it. Then the picker, the spinner and the loom, together with the various machinery for calico printing, which, all together will accomplish more than one hundred times as much work as could be done by an equal number of hands without them. Yet, in consequence of the introduction of these improvements, there are ten times as many people employed in the raising of cotton, and in the manufacture of cotton fabrics, as would have been without them. We will next consider the manufacture of clocks(an article which had been manufactured for centuries before Mr. Terry introduced improved mechanical facilities for this purpose. This was about twenty years ago, and as a direct consequence, the price of brass clocks has been reduced from $80 to $63: and there are at the present time, at least five times as many persons employed in the manufacture of clocks, as would have been if these facilities had not been introduced. The reason is obvious: the price being greatly reduced, many thousands of people have bought them, who would not have thought of paying the former prices. We will notice one more instance(that of the improved facilities for building. We now have saw-mills(brick machines, and a great variety of carpenters' tools; besides wheel carriages, on which to haul the materials together. Will any one contend that a greater number of people would have been employed in the building business, without these facilities than we now have employed? We think not: the point is conceded.

Much opposition has been manifested, in various parts of this country, to the introduction and construction of railroads, on the plea that it would reduce the demand for horse labor, and injure the business of the waggoners. But results have proved, at least in most cases, that where railroads have been constructed, a variety of new and profitable avenues of transportation, or carrying business, have been opened, which were not before available. And thus will ever be the case, that the invention and introduction of labor-saving improvements, instead of reducing the demand for labor, will, by opening new avenues of trade and new inducements of enterprise, tend to increase the demand for, and enhance the value of the laboring classes. Let then the sentiment be forever discarded, which would hinder the invention and introduction of labor-saving improvements.

A MORMON BATTLE.—As was to be expected, the persecuted Mormons have resisted the lawless mobs who were employed in wantonly destroying their property by fire. A considerable battle has occurred near Carthage, in which eighteen of the assailants were killed, and many more taken prisoners by the Mormons. The Governor, who has hitherto done little or nothing to protect the Mormons, now calls on the militia to quell the disturbance. We should think it was high time.

A SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCE.— ?????????????