Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/12

Rh Without longer trespassing open your patience with these statistical facts, permit me to say in conclusion, the life of a Printer, Sir, as many of us well know by sad experience, is a life of toil, anxiety and self sacrifice—a life of great self denial. But, if it has its disadvantages, it has already its great advantage, and, as the art advances, will have greater.

For those who are willing to improve the mind, it affords a continued school for the acquisition of knowledge. It opens a wide field of influence and usefulness. There is, probably, no greater moral power than the power of the Press. Those who conduct it should be intelligent, virtuous, honest men. But to succeed in the profession, as a business, we must practice the most rigid rules of industry and economy, and learn to eat the bread of frugality and carefulness.

And great as have been the improvements in the mechanical facilities of the profession, it has not yet been discovered that the business will go of itself. It requires punctual attention, untiring perseverence, rigid economy and frugality, none the less for the wonderful character of its improvements. It is a business, in reference to which, or the emoluments of which, most people, not practically concerned, more widely err in their estimates than respecting almost any other. Nor is any class of mechanics so inadequately compensated for their labor, time, exertion, and usefulness counted, as the printers.

Before I sit down, sir, allow me to say, that the conductors of newspapers, and all connected with them, are deeply interested in the manner in which they discharge their public duties. The American press is subject to the charge of not having always maintained that high and honorable standing which should belong to it. Editors have too often allowed themselves to become mere gladiators, beating and bruising each other for the benefit of political leaders and the amusement of the vulgar. They have not always exercised towards each other that respect and that tone of bearing which is best calculated to elevate the editorial profession. A course of vituperation and detraction, towards each other, for mere differences of opinion, can surely never be necessary; and if indulged in, must be productive of results which ultimately tend to lower the standing and lessen the influence of those engaged. In this manner, it is to be regretted, has the character of our newspaper press been greatly injured, and its influence paralized. It can be elevated only by manifesting a higher regard for truth, and by inculcating and practising a more gentlemanly tone of bearing among its conductors. If editors will learn to respect themselves, and each other, as they should, then will the profession become more dignified, honorable, and influential—and not till then.

I offer, sir, as a sentiment -

A Free Press—Free from Licentiousness, and unpurchaseable. Free institutions. Equal and just laws, free from partial and grinding acts of monopoly. A free people—free to enjoy their own opinions in politics and religion, unfettered by political or spiritual domination

Col., of Batavia, being called upon, remarked that he had recently prepared a sketch of the press of Genesee county, and that he had exhausted himself on that subject, and should not therefore make a speech. He offered the following sentiment:

By Frederick Follett, of Batavia—Benjamin Franklin, the Sage, Philosopher and Printer: His name and his fame are coëxtensive with the limits of the habitable globe—time has not dimmed the effulgence of the one, or tarnished the lustre of the other.

By Ansel Warren, of Perry—Our Union: May her foul case (Slavery) be turned into pi, and together with her canon, balls, and all hell-ish instruments, be re-cast into rich fonts of pearl and diamond, and these re-set and imposed upon the impregnable bed of truth and securely locked in the chase of virtue, where it may produce an impression free of mackle, monk or frzar, and furnish full proof of her claim to stand as the head matter on the page of this world's history, and to a glorious and well justified form on the last great publication day.

By G. M. Dana—The Cause of Humanity: The printer has ever been found its true and zealous advocate, and while his hand can hold a stick and his arm work a press, he will never desert it.

By S. S. Blanchard, of Warsaw, editor of the Western New Yorker—The Magnetic Telegraph: The wonderful invention of the age; perfectly enigmatical to ordinary minds. The world is indebted to him whose natal day we have met to celebrate, for the astonishing discovery of bringing lightning from the heavens, and to the inventive genius of Prof. Morse for its incomprehensible adaptation to the purposes for which it is now used.

By C. W. Dibble, editor of the Dansville Whig—The Members of the Craft present to-night: The greatest assemblage of intelligence and public opinion Rochester ever had the honor to entertain.

By E. S. Palmer, Angelica—Editorial Courtesey: May editors remember that courtesey demands of them kindness and urbanity in their editorial intercourse. Let them, therefore, sheath the dagger, (†) and differ, as differ they must, like gentlemen who know each other to be honest but not unerring.

Mr., of Ithaca, here favored the company, at the request of the President, with a song, in excellent style. , Esq., prefaced bis excellent, sentiment with the following remarks:

Mr. President and Gentlemen:—It will not, I hope, be deemed inappropriate to the joyous occasion which has convened us together this evening to call up interesting remembrances of those who in this part of the country have, within the recollection of many who are present, been associated with the Press.

As the publisher of a Newspaper for several years, I had an opportunity of being acquainted