Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/15

Rh leng ere the sun of science emitted a single ray of light to illumine the surrounding gloom. At length the returning warriors of the Crusades brought with them into Europe, a knowledge of Arabian literature; the fetters which so long had bound the genius of Greece were broken, and the revival of learning followed.

It is no part of my intention to follow the events which transpired between the Crusades of the 11th and 13th centuries, nor for a period long after; my object being principally to recall your attention to those which occurred in the 15th century of the Christian Era; and in so doing I shall endeavor to be brief, without, however, a strict regard to chronological order.

Mark a small portion of the history of this century, and what a spectacle do we behold to gladden the heart of the patriot and the philanthropist? We have arrived at that period when, by the adventurous spirit of a solitary individual, a new world was opened to view. The genius of Columbus presided at its birth; and where then the war whoop of the savage resounded through the stately forest, we now see the standard of science waving proudly with the flag that indicates its national existence.

A new and powerful impulse was given to the progress of literature and science on the taking of Constantinople by the Turks in the middle of this century, when the learned men were forced to seek an asylum on the classic soil of Italy; it was the era which gave a Joan of Arc to Orleans, and marked the expulsion of the Moors from Spain.

But we roust pass over these and other interesting incidents of the period, to bring to your notice that invention which stamps the 15th century as the most important era in the annals of the world. To of the town of Mayence, in Germany, we are indebted for the discovery of the Art of Printing by moveable types. Wherefore, however, need I attempt to point out the results which have followed this invention, when they are so familiar to all of you? Look at its influence in our own and other lands, and we shall find that, from the moment when the Pilgrims of New England, lauded at Plymouth in 1620, in the hope there to enjoy that liberty of conscience which they were debarred in the homes of their ancestors, this powerful engine has accumulated strength with each succeeding year; it has illumined the darkness of heathen lands; it has spread the genial rays of truth and knowledge to the remotest corners of the earth; it has given to almost every man in this western hemisphere the privilege not to choose his ruler, but to select the servant of his will; and if the signs of the times are not deceptive, the period is not very remote, when not a vestige of feudal tyranny will remain, and when we shall see, through the instrumentality of this mighty lever, even a world regenerated and disenthralled.

As the boundaries of knowledge were thus enlarged, a spirit of inquiry was imbibed, a powerful stimulus was given to exertion, and the human mind emerged from the eclipse which it once suffered, and again reflected the image of the divinity whence it emanated. This period, then, we mark as the most interesting and important in the history of the world; by one mighty effort of intellect, we see the shadows which had so long hung over the paths of the sons of science removed forever; we see improvement traveling in the car of time, and in the few generations which have followed, we trace a succession of the most brilliant discoveries ever announced for ameliorating the condition of the human race.

But I must forbear further remarks, and conclude by offering as a sentiment,

The memory of John Gurtenberg: His epitaph is stereotyped on the intellect and the heart of the whole civilized world.

Mr., of Rochester, after raising the curiosity of the audience to a very high pitch, by the following remarks, ended with a sentiment that drew forth uproarious applause.

In rising to propose a sentiment, Mr. President, I beg leave to vary somewhat from accustomed usage. Instead of paying the usual homage to our chosen rulers, or offering an oblation to the memory of some giant mind of a by-gone age, who has contributed to the developement or progress of our art, (both of which have been, or will be, better done by others,) I wish to pay a passing tribute of respect to one who, in a more humble sphere, and in a more silent way, has benefitted the press of our country. The personage whose health I would propose, is, perhaps, but little, known in political circles, or to the great mass of the people. But to very many of those connected with the press he is well known, and his sterling worth appreciated. He is known to them by the efficient and timely, if not extensive aid, he has rendered to the newspaper press,—and has endeared himself to them by the modest and unostentatious manner in which that aid was given. Displaying thus an enlightened and discriminating liberality, it might be expected he should be known,—as, indeed, he is,—as a genuine philanthropist—an ardent advocate for the largest liberty, and a warm friend of universal education; and consequently the friend of an enlightened, efficient and independent press, as contributing to those ends more powerfully than any other single means. It is true, he has rarely interfered to suggest literary or political reforms in the press,—believing that editors are a thinking as well as a writing fraternity; and that when reforms or improvements become necessary they will be as apt to perceive it as he. But, in the war which printers have to wage against vice, ignorance and prejudice, he has directed his energies mainly to the supply of their "commissariat" department—well knowing that without those "sinews" this war can be no more successfully prosecuted than any other. It is in this way principally that he has given that essential aid to the press, for which myself, as well as many others who have been engaged in newspaper publication, hold him in grateful remembrance. Those now connected with the press, and still receiving tokens of his favor, might, perchance feel a delicacy their patron in this