the other day that I saw a copy of a page of the St. Louis "Reveille," which he had re-printed, without type or press, changing the Printer's long primer into most beautiful diamond. It has been truly said that our craft are in possession of the fulcrum, sought by Archimedes, whereon, with their lever—the press—they are moving the world. I wish to admonish the brethren that there is danger of losing this fulcrum, through the intervention of such interlopers as I have named.
It is my sincere desire that the art, which has commemorated all other inventions, and immortalized the great and good in all ages, should survive these shocks, and withstand the scorching rays of its new rival, who has recently set up both printing and painting—but, should it be otherwise, after its long career of unbounded usefulness, I would propose the following sentiment as a subject for its requiem:—
The Art of Arts: whose origin, even is enveloped in mystery.—The power of man has failed to buffet its influence, or to hush its thunder-tones—it has withstood the shafts of ignorance and superstition, and diffused the word of God to all the world—and in its proud career of glory, it has quailed only before the lightnings, and the Sun of Heaven.
Hoping that your Festival will serve to strengthen the bond of union between the brethren of the Craft, I remain, yours truly,
M. G. Atwood.
To Messrs. Canfield, Shepard & Fisher, Com.
Letter to the Celebration Committee.
We yesterday received the following letter from the extreme North-West, written by John N. Ingersoll, Esq., of Copper Harbor, on Lake Superior. It will be noticed that it was 26 days longer coming to hand, than the European correspondence. When we take into view that the mail only leaves there once a month in the winter, and is then transported on the back of an Indian more than one thousand miles, the wonder is that we received it with so much expedition. The News, of which Mr. Ingersoll is the proprietor, has a circulation of 500. He sent three copies, which we regret were not received in season to have been laid by the side of those from Oregon and Monterey.
From John N. Ingersoll, Esq., Editor of the Lake Superior News.
| Office of Lake Superior News, | |
| Copper Harbor, Dec. 2, 1846. |
Mr. J. A. Hadley—Dear Sir: Your kind note, in behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, inviting my attendance at the Printers' Festival, in Rochester, on the occasion of the Birth Day of Benjamin Franklin, has been duly received, and for which you will please convey to those gentlemen my unfeigned thanks for this distinguished mark of their favor.
Nothing, I assure you, could afford me greater pleasure than to meet with my fellows of the typographical fraternity of Rochester in the observance of the anniversary of that day which gave to the world a great Philosopher, to political science a profound Teacher, and to the republic of letters an American practical Printer. Distance, however, and the bad state of the roads, must preclude my attendance.
As a sentiment for your social occasion, permit me to offer—
The Sons of Faust in Rochester, and the Printers of America—May their shadows never be less.
I remain, Dear Sir, Very respectfully, yours with esteem, John N. Ingersoll.
☞ The following sentiments accompanied documents received by the Committee of Correspondence, and have not before been published:
By Samuel Green, of Hartford, Ct., of the sixth generation of Printers in regular succession from Samuel Green of Cambridge, now 80 years of age, and who has a son Samuel, also a Printer: Journeyman Printers—May they never use their energies in a bad cause — and their reward be always commensurate to their labors.
By D. E. Sill, Esq. Editor of the Cattaraugus Whig: Benjamin Franklin Smead—the first Printer in Cattaraugus: our proper Franklin.
By Orsamus Turner, Esq., of Lockport: Our Craft—Progressive harmony and fraternal feeling among ourselves; cultivated in every way not in compatible with our different positions and duties; a better appreciation of what is due to us from those for whom we labor with head and hand; and a determined concert of action to attain it.
By E. J. Fowle, Esq., of Penn Yan: The Printers of Western New York—Men of worth, talent, and patriotism. Would they but learn to treat each other with the respect that marks the intercourse of men of the other learned professions, they might enjoy what is now denied them - a fair participation in the honors and emoluments of the Republic, which their toils for the public weal, by night and day, richly entitle them to.
☞ The following volunteer toasts were omitted in their proper place:
By C. A. Gregory—George Dawson: Though absent, not forgotten. May his late residence become his future home.
By S. B. Stoddard, of the firm of Stoddard & Freeman, Paper Makers—The Printers and Paper Manufacturers of Western New York: Mutually dependent one upon the other—may you never lack the means to support us, nor we the ability to supply you.
☞ The sugar model of an old-fashioned Ramagé Press, alluded to in the account of the Festival, was awarded to the daughter of a Printer in Ithaca. Her sentiment was the one given by Mr. Mann, "for a Lady."
