Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/10

Rh consisting of the learned, the scientific, and the witty; but we have here a Digest of them all bound together and lettered, if not gilt, and combining all that is useful or pleasing for a reading people—and such are the people of Old Genesee. Printers, Editors, Correspondents, and others, in some way connected with the "art preservative of all arts," are met in this place to hear or be heard, and to commemorate the birth of the great Philosopher Printer—the immortal —a man, who,

I offer you a sentiment:—

The Printers of Rochester: The tokens they have worked off to-day, have made impressions never to be erased.

By P. Canfield—Our Brethren in Buffalo: As our circular has not been responded to, we expect to hear a good report from them this evening. Dr., of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, returned thanks, and, after apologising for being unaccustomed to public speaking, remarked that on an occasion like the present reference to those illustrious in the craft was both natural and becoming. The memory of Franklin had been honored in fitting and most eloquent terms by the President. In the career of that great and illustrious Philosopher and Patriot, printing was but an incident; but there are others whose fame was all our own, whose memory should never die. In the infancy of the Art, printers were among the most learned men, and to their profound scholarship the world owed elegant editions of the most renowned Greek and Roman classics, till then almost utterly unknown, which editions are even now recognised as the most valuable extant. Especially are we indebted for these labors—to them a labor of love—to the Printers of Venice, a republic, then distinguished like our own, for the extent of her commerce, and the valor of her arms. It could scarcely be otherwise than that printers should be men of much literary cultivation. Men cannot long be engaged in embodying, in dull metal, "thoughts that breath and words that burn" without partaking, in some degree, of the same animating spirit. Printing is, in truth, a learned and liberal profession, whose usefulness, influence and dignity should never be forgotten or degraded by its members. The speaker concluded by giving, and commending to the emulation of all—The Scholar Printers of Venice.

L. H., Esq., of Syracuse, 2d Vice President, responded to a call from the chair, as follows:

Mr President:—Not being accustomed to public speaking, I have, from recollection alone, collected together a few reminiscences, to which I have added some remarks, which, I hope, may not, on this occasion, prove entirely uninteresting. One of the earliest lessons, sir, which I learned in a printing office, was to follow my copy—even if it went out of the window. Early habits, sir, whether good or bad, are not easily dispensed with; I ask your indulgence, therefore, while I read my hasty and imperfect production.

My first acquaintance, sir, with the Press of Western New York, was in 1808. I commenced my apprenticeship in the office of the Ontario Repository, at Canandaigua, in the summer of that year. The only newspapers in existence at that early period, west of Cayuga Lake, were the Repository; the Geneva Gazette, by my respected friend, James Bogert; the Ontario Messenger, by John A. Stevens, and the Cornucopia, published at Batavia, by Benjamin Blodget. It is possible there may have been one or two others, but if there were I do not recollect them. The Repository, I believe, was established by Gould & Post, in 1803. Mr. Bemis became connected with the establishment about 1805. Under the direction of that good man, the Repository became one of the leading and most respectable journals in the State, and so continued for upwards of a quarter of a century, under his able and judicious management.

And here permit me, sir, to digress one moment, while I attempt to pay a deserved tribute of respect to my early and valued friend. Mr. Bemis, aside from a thorough knowledge of the duties of his profession, possessed a mild and even temper, and a dignity of deportment, which rendered him peculiarly well qualified to educate and instruct those who were placed under his care for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of our noble art. And well and nobly did he acquit himself of the difficult task. I hope there are many of his pupils still living to bear witness to the truth of what I say. For myself, I feel that I owe to that venerable and most excellent man, a debt of everlasting gratitude. Whatever of prosperity or success in life, I have enjoyed, I owe, mainly, to the early training and habits of business which he taught me, and to his judicious counsel and advice, in after years. My friend, (and the friend of us all, I trust,) is still living, and I rejoice that the severe malady with which (as you may know) he is afflicted, has permitted him to meet us around this festive board. All who know him will agree with me, that he is entitled to our sympathy in his afflictions, and to our grateful respect as a, and a man.

Excuse me, Mr. President, for this digression. I could not say less for the friend to whom I owe so much.

I think the Cornucopia must have been established about the year 1806 or 1807. Such a newspaper, at the present day, would be a curiosity—(I had almost said, a natural one.) It was about the size of a foolscap sheet, and frequently came to us on common wrapping paper—not such wrapping paper as is now made, but of the blackest and coarsest specimen of that quality of paper at that early day. And the type, (if they might be dignified with that appellation) were in keeping with the paper. Take it altogether, it was like a picture made for fun, and if a copy could now be found, it should be deposited in the museum.

Mr. Bogart's paper, at Geneva, was called the Geneva Gazette, and must have been established about 1806 or 1807. It was then a most