Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-01-26

has conferred upon mankind, have been des-
cribed by ADLER and more eloquent pens thhh
mine. Let me present single hypothesis.
Suppose the great protectress, and teacher OF
all arts and sclences-suppose that the art of
printing had never been discoyered~cat what
state of progress would we now find Natural
philosophy, astronomy, mechanics, navigauon
and many arts which conduce so ehecsually TO
the comfort and preservation of mankind.---
where now would be those liberties We hold SO
dearl Yet in the womb Of futurity. The dis
coveries of Newton would have been the treas:
ure of an exclusive few. Watts and Fulton
would perhaps have never learned the first prin-
ciples: and Franklin might perhaps have never
read book, nor published single principle
tending to the independence of this country.
Among the ancients Of Greece and Rome,
there were certainly some great and wise men;
but beyond the circle in which those learnep
men moved, how few received glimpse Of sell
ences-how few ever learned to readt-and how
difficult it was to obtain the instruction of booksi
Now,through the agency of printing our means
OF acquiring knowledge is unlimited, and its
dissemination is universal. The consequence
is, that greater humber labor to unravel and
make useful the secrets Of nature; and the pro-
gress of mankind to perfection, is q thousand
times more rapid. -
me yriutor, dS al luuiVluudis COu1cS uiteCtiy
under the constant influence of the ms tructive
and liberal art he processes. The printer reads
more, and possesses more varied and general
information than the theologian; lawyer or a.
vowed philosopher. 1t is the printers trade to
read constantly, day after day, during bis whole
life; he earns his daily bread by reading; aye,
and by reading slowly and carefully, for he must
follow and put the words into type letter by
letter; he must dwell awhile upon every cen
tence. Does the merchant know the prices Of
cotton and other goods in distant countries?-
the intelligence is penned by printer before the
merchant touches it. Does the politician dis
cuss the affairs Of nationsl-he owes his knowli
edge to the printer, who is always ahead of him
in point of Information. Does the physician
study the works of some profound Esculapiusi
Jet him look at the title page, and he will see
that he owes the work to printer, who has read
it over and over I'd see that not letter Is waft-
ing; not comma out of place. The same may
tfc mechanic. The printer stands at the door
of all their learning, and holds The key that o.
pens it.
The printer is great traveller. There are
few printers in the United States who have not
visited every State in the Union. They are
sure of finding printing office In every village,
and consequently do not hesitate to travel
wherever their fancy may lead them, sure Of
finding in their brother typographers; friends to
assist them, give them work or obtain a situa-
ton for them: The printer is consequently
| thoroughly acquainted with his country; in
general and in detail hone can know it better,
or speak of it more correctly. Sometimes he
crosses the Atlantic; and while he prints geo.
graphies and books of travels, he takes occasion
to view with his own eyes every part of the old
and new world.
| The printer is always good grammarian
and it frequently happens that men, whose pro-
auctions are esteemed by the public, owe it to
the printer that they are not written down as
ses. Often, very often; does it happens, that
manuscript is put into the hands of the type
setter full of gross grammatical errors, senten-
ces void of sense, and without single point of
punctuation; or capital letter. ~
When this has passed through his hands the
errors are corrected; the punctuations and cap
tails are all set in their proper places. The con-
ceited author finds himself all at once gram
NAUTICAL and. logical writer, and bssks in the
sun of popularity: which he owes to some UNI
obstrusye son Of Gutenberg. He takes care
not to give credit to the proper person; but on
the contrary should some of his blnnders remain
uncorrected, he is sure to lay them all to the
| charge of the aignorant printers" such is the
| false and unjust phrase ignorant writer's fre-
| quently.
| No trade; class, or profession, except those
of law and physic, has furnished greater pro"
| portion of learned and distinguished persons
than the printers craft. From the DAVIS If
Franklin to the present time; our legislative
halls, or places of honor, have been srramented
by talented and eloquent printers; The bar lis
often indebted to printing offices for some of ita
ablest members. In this city we have living
and proiiinent examples of the fact.
The printers, wheneve- they can unite suf-
ficient force, generally form themselves into d
society for their mutual protection, and for the
purpose assisting each other in case of need
These Societies fix the rates of wages, the hours
of work, and provide for the sick and unfortu-
nate: They bind themselves BY the strictrs
ard most honorable rules to preserve the dig
nifty of their art.and to defend each other against
the Injustice of grasping employers. ia prin-
ter should dishonor his trade, or work under
wages, he is Immediately stigmatized and dis
owned. 1t is very rare that printer ran be.
induced to dishonor the pledges he has given to
his fellow workmen.
The printer is essentially a tlemocrat---that
is to sa :, opposed to the ARISFOCRACY of
riches: and though so far above the generality
of citizens in knowledge and talent vet he 10
proud of being called a Mechanic-and he fire.
quenty boasts that his subsistence is earned by
the sweat of his bror. Yes, We proud nsbobs
who roll in yours carriages, and who would dis
dain to touch the hard hand of mechanic. learn
that there are mechanics who are by far yeiir
superiors in every thing which elevates mar
kind. know many graduates Of colleges who
might be made to blush for their ignorance BY
the mechanics who they seem 10 dcspise. But
the boasts of the aristocrat must fall beneath
1.-THE power of the press: and the labnring class
es of Europe and America shall claim their an
propriate rank In society, and call for enjovmen.
Of equal rights, their spokesman will be the
PRINTER. - - sas
} An Lngenioss mode Of Government Lying
The Diario 6Lsbon) is very truthful, SO long
j as it has nothing but brilliant success to COM
; memorate; but the moment reverse occurs, il
becomes as lying its adversaries, and the War
{ Office follows suit. The way they lie is inge-
Al