The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-03-17
An Eloquent Speech.


bration OF FRANKLIN's Birth Day, at
Columbus. 1t was in response to a
highly flattering toast; '
|, is difficult to find words to express
my feelings for the kindness Of the SEN
ment just offered and the warmth ofits
| lecep ption. 1t was wholly unexpected
but the compliment paid is the high
est that could have been offered, and
dearest 10 my heart.
Men have united upon this occasion,
Of every political sentiment. lam glad
OF this-ior being thus brought in con.
tact in the expression OF noble sympa.
ties and friendly feelings, we learn that
difference of epinion should no, dimin.
ish our kindness and regard for each
other, as men. No man is responsible
for the errors Of judgment, but we have
the right 10 demand purity Of motive.
With this restriction, every man has an
equal right TO lorm his own conclusions
without, assault or reproach. When we
learn to respect the feelings Of others
as we desire them to regard and toler-
ate our own, we may say with truth,
we are capable of seltgovernment. II
we would look around US for moment,
and reflect that there is not human
heart which has not lis sorrows and
griefs, its struggles and hopes, we would
feel that every man is entitled TO our
love, and requires our sympathy and aid.
The press is the grand illuminator Of
the world. 1t not only records the
achievement. of science and the triumph
Of art, but those glorious and exalted
sentiments which, in the human heart,
reflect the image of God. Those burn.
ing and sublime thoughts, which, like
altered sparks shaken from the very
throne itself, have found lodgment in
the minds Of the gifted and good, are
gathered up and preserved by the press,
to enlighten, to elevate and direct.
But let it be remembered by those
WHO direct this mighty engine. that its
high mission is not alone TO instruct the
mind. but to awaken those moral senli.
ments, and those sweet and beautiful
affections which constitute the true ex.
ceIlence and fragrance Of human char.
ac,er. A devil or fend may possess
intellect. In this view, how infinitely
does the pride of intellect bow TO the
glory of the heart. That heart which
God commands us to give to himself as
fit temple for the Holy Spirit, and gar
neriug up Of tina, faith and piety which
crowns our immortality with the pro-
mise of an eternity of bliss. For their
mighty teachings, and for these grand
objects was the press committed to
man; and when it rises up to its true
end we shall find in all its impressions
the echo Of higher spheres. and the
voice of him who spake as man never
spake, "Thou shalt not only love the
, Lord thy God with thy whole heart, but
thy neighbor as lhyseIf;" and in every
relation OF life, public and political, SO.
cial and private, the voice OF the press
will be. "Do unto others IS you would
have them do unto YOU" Is j, not
most fit, when The press is as it should
be, that the lightnings should be made
. its winged courserS to carry its teach
ings; and in view Of the fact that its
flash is now the spread o! thought, how
goriously is the name of Franklin asso-
} cia,ed--lhe Printer, the Philosopher,
the man who taught US to catch this
fiery steed which tramples upon the
: clouds and neighs in the storm, 10. be-,
, come the quick and certain post horse
Of thought.
have not lime to make a speech.
But would say one word without po.
' li,ical bearing, but as an abstract prop.
. osilion, in reference TO the great strug-
gle which is going on in the world
+! about proper,y--which has given rise
: to such excited political action, and
: through which the chief despotism is
: inflicted upon man. No one can live
: without property; and ifthe few gather
: it all up, death and starvation must
come to the many. The results Of
I. modern christian civilization, if we look
/, TO the points where it is claimed to be
t most highly developed, hold out but lit.
\ tie encouragement or promise. | ven.
J. ture to say that London, the point Of
$ highest attainment Us clnimed, contains
8 more want, more suffering, more deg.
+ relation and complete prostration Of
!, oil human excellence among hundreds
!, Of thousands, than can be paralleled in
D any age Of barbarism that the world
D presents. The great problem, as | re.
. gard it, the great end 10 be attained, is
} to find out some mode by which a just
relative value can be preserved between
, the plice oflabor and the price Of prop:
, erty. The law has assigned owner
, ship TO every thing in the shape OF prop.