Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/26

Rh —with some forty subscribers, and for the first three weeks not a single paying advertisement—he commenced the flattering career of editor and proprietor of a newspaper. But if the establishment was a humble one, it called for some privations and the strictest economy to carry it on. For the first year his principal help at typesetting was a lad of some nine years of age, and on publication days a chair maker flourished the balls. [By the way, have you one of these time-honored but now obsolete symbols of the art among the decoration of your festive hall? And would not a Printers' National Museum, where should be collected and preserved specimens of the "art preservative of arts," be the best mode of noticing its advancement?] To make board come cheap, he lodged himself before the office fire and stowed away his bed in the morning in a cubby hole. But did not he whose natal day you are so joyously commemorating do as humble a thing when he trundled his paper through the streets of Philadelphia on a barrow? And did he not afterwards stand before Kings and coursel with their Ministers? This system of economy and industry in due time worked its legitimate effect. And how has it been with other members of the craft in Western New York? Have they not risen by similar means from poverty to wealth; though peradventure reverses may have subsequently overtaken some of them? How is it then with your Williams, your Merrills, your Rogerts, your Bemis, your Pecks, your Days, and your Salisburys? The "Fredonia Censor," after being conducted for seventeen years by its founder, was disposed of at his own price at an advance of some fifteen hundred per cent, upon its original cost. It is now in its twenty-sixth year; and although it has been once burned out, it has never failed of issuing promptly a whole sheet from its commencement to the present time.

There are now six well conducted newspapers in Chautauque County, all receiving a respectable patronage, which have come into existence in the following order:—The "Fredonia Censor," "Jamestown Journal," "Mayville Sentinel," "Westfield Messenger," "Frontier Express," and "Panama Herald."

Gentlemen, it would have given me unfeigned pleasure to have met you at the festive board upon this glorious occasion; but since that privilege is denied me, I give you as a sentiment,

The Pioneer Printers of Western New-York: The true disciples of the Immortal Franklin.

H. C..

From J. S. {{sc|Herrick, Esq., Foreman of the Daily Herald Office.

{{sc|Cleveland}}, O. Jan. 10, 1847.

Gents.:—Your kind invitation came duly to hand, to attend the approaching Festival given in honor of the birth-day of the immortal and beloved {{sc|Franklin}}—a practice which has so long been unobserved; and it is to be hoped that what you have commenced in Rochester may extend throughout our country. I would much rather give a verbal answer to your invitation, but circumstances are such that it would be impossible for me to be present. My heart and best wishes will be with you. I can anticipate no one thing that would give me more pleasure than to be with you. You will, therefore, (as requested in your circular,) please accept of the following sentiments from the brethren of the craft in the office of the "Cleveland Daily Herald:"

By Wm. C Sadd—The 17th of January: May its yearly occurrence never cease to thrill with gratitude the bosoms of the American people, for the eminent services rendered them by the world-renowned patriot, statesman, philosopher, and Printer—{{sc|Benjamin Franklin}}.

By J. J. Bebee—The Printer's Profession: Emphatically the profession.

By J. C. Sage—The Craft in Mexico: May they use the shooting-stick with their usual agility, lead well the enemy's columns, and then return with a ☞ full of quoin.

By E. B. Foote—Printers: May health and success attend them; and let the man who would seek to pi their happiness be ignominously kicked to death with the sheep's-foot.

By the Devil—Benjamin Franklin: In youth; honest and unassuming; in after life, a correct type of the virtuous, a symbol of the man, true to its inflexible original. His were days lighted by the finger of truth, rendered transcendently brilliant through the severest trials. He is indeed departed, but his name and memory live cherished and revered.

By J. S. Herrick—Benjamin Franklin: A true type of all that is noble and virtuous, which the craft would find phat copy to select from. May all of our numbers seek to em-brace the principles that actuated him through life.

Yours, respectfully,

J. S. {{sc|Herrick.}}

To Messrs. Canfield, Dawson, &c.

{{center|{{bar|3}}}}

From {{sc|A. Donnelly}}, Corresponding Secretary of the Baltimore Typographical Society.

{{sc|Baltimore}}, Md., Dec. 30, 1846.

Mr. Canfield and others, Committee:

{{sc|Gentlemen}}:—I have been instructed, by a resolution of the Baltimore Typographical Society, to acknowledge the receipt of your very kind invitation that we should be present, by representative, at your festivities in honor of the immortal {{sc|Franklin}}.

The Society feels flattered by your invitation, and a very strong desire exists among our members that we should be represented at your Festival; but this being, with us, the busiest season of the year, and the delicate health of our President not permitting him to take so long a journey at this inclement season, it will not be possible for us to be present. Under other circumstances, the Printers of Baltimore would be most happy to meet the Printers of Rochester, and of the Union, around the festive board—especially upon so interesting an occasion as the anniversary of the birth-day of the illustrious {{sc|Franklin}}—a man whose name is identified with the most glorious periods of our history as a Nation—whose dignified and manly advocacy of the cause of Liberty, at a very critical period of the struggle of our fathers, elicited the respect, at least, of foreign