Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-02-05

] and been in every station in the prin-
ting business, from DevHto the editor
and publisher Of city Daily.
was elected Vice President Of the
first Harrison State Convention ever
held in the United States, at Niblo's
Garden, New York; friend Dauson, OF
the Democrat now present, if my
memory serves me right, was one of
the Secretaries Of that convention.
As editor of the Washington County
Post. wrote the first editorial in favor
of Harrison, fer the Presidency. 1
have slipped malta, add kicked up my
toes, amidst the giddy throng of Bue-
nos Ayrean lasses, upon the Pampas of
San Isidro; and have been dashing a.
long the Passea, OF the Alameda, on
the banks of the La Plata, in company
with Mrs. Hallet, Che accomplished
lady ofStephen Hallet, printer to the
Buenos Ayrean Government, in his
coach and -four, who was at the time,
the richest man in Buenos Ayres.-
Stephen Hall was a journeyman with
me, at Seymour's, in 1917.
Printers have been proverbial, in all
ages of the world, for their notoriety.
AS an instance ofthe fluctuations of
their fortunes, | might cite the case Of
that exalted patriot, statesman and phi.
losopher, whose natal day we have this
evening assembled to commemorate.
l speak Of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
Practical Printer, who, by his virtuous
life, and high order of intellect, rose
from the humble condition of an APP
prentice boy to the most exalted sta
tons in life. The name of Franklin is
co-equal with science itself. This
sage once observed, that the time was
not far-distant, when journey could
be performed from Boston to Philadel-
phia in fortnight! What would
Franklin now say,
Gould he from his cerement start
when beholding the velocity of the
steam cars, which would transport him
from Boston to Philadelphia, in less
than "a hours! Or what, Mr.. Presi-
dent, do you suppose the old printer
would think, should he ask question
in Boston, and receive an answer from
New Orleans IN one minute, by the a
gency of one ofthose instruments which
his hand first drew from Heaven to
earth? Who that has bat even dream
ed ofthe science of electricity, and be-
held the vivid lightningin in its terrific
and awful grandeur, as it flashes
through the Heavens, but did not iden-
tify the genius of Franklin with the
scene' But the ashes of the great
Printer are entombed in the Christ's
church yard, Philadelphia.
Dr.. Baird, the author of that indy
ing ballad, sThe Star Spangled Ban
err was a printer, Samuel Woodacorth,
the author of The Old Oahen Bucket,'
and the nevcr-to- be- forgotten patriotic
song, The Hunters Of kentucky was
printer, with whom | was intimately
acquainted for many years. Alexan-
der B. Coffin, known some years since,
as the Boston Bard and the author
of the popular song, when Freedom
on the Battle Storm &C., was also a
printer.
When we look at the conductors Of
the Puolic Press, who would not be
proud to be called a printer? Who
has not heard of John Lang, Ben]a-
min Russell, Buckingham, Col. VIM.
L. Stone, John Neale, Salma Hale,
Seleck Osborn, Greedy, Geo. P. Nor
ris, Thurlow Weed, Richie, Judge
Buel, Croswell, Solomon Southwick,
Senators Isaac Hill and Simon Came
ron, and many others who might be
mentioned These talented writers
were all Of them, | believe, practical
Printers. The late Prof. James D..
Knowles, Of Newton Theological In
stitution, who served his apprentice
ship with Hugh Brown, Providence,
Rhode Island, was also Printer.
We might call upon the Bar, the
Pulpit, and Army and Navy-some Of
the brightest ornaments of these de-
partments were taken from the case and
the press. The Rev. DIR. Potts of New
York, Professor Stewart Of Andover,
Rev. A. G. Hall The eloquent and pop
ular Pastor of the Cd Presbyterian
Church in this city-all these gentle
| men, | believe, were practical Printers.
M. L. Davis, Familiarity known in
Washington, BY the sobriquet of 'Old
Specs is one Of the most sagacious
political writer's Of the day, and is a
practical printer. Mr.. Gales, the Sc
Nor Editor Of The National Inteiiigen-
| Ger, served his apprenticeship With his
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