Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/16

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public manner. But having myself been for some years disconnected with the press, and this its patron, I feel a freedom in here giving voice to my gratitude; and therefore, Mr. President, I propose to you

The health of the Man who pays in advance for his newspaper.

C. B. Thompson—The Ladies: Fair forms is the font of life. Without them, the page of our existence would be as blank as the fly-leaf in an abolition almanac, or the columns of a volume of nonsense.

By W. A. Wells—Printers Wives and Children: In the summer edition may they have a slice from a full case; and let them never be entangled among briars; or their impressions be sullied by monks; or their color withheld by the friars; nor let the guide ever lead them on a false line; and may they never be press'd to turn for sorts; or chase a lean page when closing-up the period of the last winter in the column of life; and when their forms are imposed and registered on their last bed, may they present a clear title to the mansions of bliss.

By D. D. Waite—Benj. Blodgett, the first newspaper printer west of Canandaigua.

James Tryon, City Clerk—Types: They are to thought and genius what speech may not always be—expression.

By James P. Fogg—The Press: The telegraph of mind—making thought immortal.

E. T. Bridges—The Festival: We meet here to night to do honor to the memory of Franklin; with strong hands and warm hearts; with sumptuous refreshments and soul-stirring music; we lack only the presence of the ladies to make as perfectly happy.

By S. P. Allen—Printers who have turned Soldiers: May they chase their enemies, lock up their forms, drive them hard with their shooting sticks, and after making a proper impression, knock them into pi.

By Dr. Schell—Washington: The figures of speech are too imperfect, monumental columns too inexpressive to do justice to so bright a Star in freedom's diadem.

By A. Strong—[Proprietor Democrat]—Woman: The diamond font—the choicest type in all our specimens—the ever ascending star in our hearts and our homes.

By C. Billinghurst—The Art of Printing: The sun of the intellectual world, whose rays are speedily destined to illuminate the dark regions of mind in all parts of the earth.

By A. M. Clapp, of Buffalo: The veteran members of the press: They have been faithful sentinels upon the ramparts of our national liberties; and now that the edition of their lives is nearly worked off, may their forms be well spaced out and corrected. And the last page of their history without pick, monk or friar.

By P Barry—Practical Printers: The working men, the bone and sinew of the world of letters. Benefactors, whose toil saves the minds of millions from starvation. Honor and happiness to them all, everywhere.

By F. Cowdery—Our country, "right or wrong:" Impose her form in a good chase; drive her quoins of defence with an iron shooting-stick, till so well locked up in equity, that in lifting to the press of national honor no pi be made for the devils to distribute!

Chas. Billinghurst, Esq., offered the following sentiment, complimentary to Capt. Adams and his Band, which was heartily responded to by the audience, and also by a beautiful strain from the band.

By C. Billinghurst—Capt.Adams, of the Rochester Brass Band: No one knows better how to set music to distribute sweet sounds or discourse them more eloquently.

The following jeu d'esprit was furnished by a guest, and read by Dr. Webster.

By a Guest—Bulls versus A Native American Mann and A Strong Democrat:

"Let dogs delight to bark and bite
For it's their natures to—
Let bears and lions growl and fight
For God has made them so."

"But editors should never let
Their angry passions rise;
Their pretty ☞ ☜ were never made,
To tear each other's I's."

When the mirth occasioned by this demonstration upon the combativeness of editors had subsided, Mr. Mann, of the American, arose and informed the doctor that he need expect no increase of business, for editors in their strifes never broke any bones.

The doctor looked rather blank at this announcement, and contented himself with telling the audience that he "never revealed the secrets of his profession." A decided insinuation.

By A. Mann—Our Hosts: Their name is no mis-nomer—all will admit who have sat at their board that they are in fact the yaller flower of the forest.

Mr. Dana here favored the meeting with "our native song."

By a Lady—The Lords of Creation: The first edition of a work which should fill up every household library. May each page added to the volume be perfect copies of the original.

By a Lady—Bachelor Printers: May an angel, not a devil, put their pi in order.

By a Young Bachelor Printer—The fair author of the above sentiment: May her father become a printer's father-in-law.

By another Lady—Benj. Franklin: May his mantle rest on the printers of Rochester, and may there be among them many bright stars to link the future with the past.

By Doct. Matthews—The enemies of a free press: May they be shod with sandals of red hot iron and compelled to travel over a desert of gunpowder.

By a Lawyer—The Editorial Fraternity—whilst advocating legal reform so earnestly and eloquently, may they now and then remember