The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-11

tired habits and unassuming prctensions, than to
be UNEXPECTEDLY called upon to respond TO tokens Of
honor and respect.
Some five weeks since he had left that district of
Ohio in which he was born, and wherein his home
had ever been--crossed yonder mountain for the
first timc-came to this city stranger, with his
western habits and feelings :" thick upon him.
He had sought not to extend his acquaintance be-
yond that prompted by duty and desire to ad
vance the interest and carry out the feelings OF his
constituents. Yet the keen, penetrating, Argus
eye of the PRINTER had lit upon his ichereabouts
and kindly invited him to partake of the festive
cnjoyments, commemorative Of the {" Thirty FIFTH
ANNIvEnsARy OF THE COLUMBIA TYPOGRAPHICAL
SOCIETY" This was an honor which he could not
have anticipated, and which he should ever remem-
Der with fond recollection Thus to meet with so
great a number of brother typos" where and with
whom sparkling wit and sharp criticism were ever
on tiptoe, was, at the best, embarrassing but. the
sentiment just offered, and rapturously respond
ed to by the craft heightened his embarrassment
and enchanted his tongue with the sllken cords
of congenial emotions. He had no adequate re-
sponse TO make TO the society, and could only
offer, in return, the grateful thanks OF generous
heart.
He assured the company of the pleasure it would
afford him at all times to promote the welfare and be
useful to the craft and to the individual members
thereof
He would not attempt to make speech--on this
occasion, at least. He would only say, the " con
tract system," to which allusion had been made by
the two gentlemen who had preceded him, in his
opinion, was wrong in principle; it was Insulting
and degrading to the art of printing and injurious
to the Government. The action said, in plain Ian
guage, Come, fellows, you are a degraded set of
beings at best let US see who of you will do the
most work for dime" Is this the language pro-
per to be used towards those who are the stay and
support of the 'mightiest nation that ever hoated
on the tide of time :" Let the printer be paid
fair equivalent for the amount of labor performed,
and let not the Government be imposed upon,
either by exorbitant charges or bad work. 1t is as
easy To regulate the business OF printing as the
labor III the navy yard. Let those under whose
charge the work is put understand the business,
and there be no difficulty in the matter any
officers are paid three, five, eight, ten twenty or
thirty dollars per day, must the printer be ruined,
and the work for the people entirely worthlcss He
had no fears OF his constituents complaining, II the
printer for the Government paid, in proportion
for the amount of work done, a fair price They
wanted no man to "work for nothing and find HIM
self" Honest themselves, they desire others to be
honestly dealt with, and fairly, paid for the labor
performed; but if they desired him to take differ
ent course, he would not do it.
But the craft had the power to right the wrong.
When he looked upon this army of intellect-they
had the brains and the energy; give the number
now before him THE TYPE PRESS, with
proper localities, and what man, what system, or
,ohat government, could they not tear dotrn or
tuiid up? All is in your own power; and if you
send forth the thunders of the press directed
the object is accomplished at once.
He would conclude by offering sentiment
The Farmer and The Printer: The productonsof the
former animate, nourish, and sustain the body the
productions Of the latter animate, invigorate and
sustain the moral and intellectual faculties.
By the Committee of Arrangements Jacob
Gideon-Onc of the fathers of our Society. His
name is imprinted on its brightest records.
Mr.. GIpEoN briefly acknowledged the cornpi
ment, and, in doing so, expressed the great grati
cation which the spectacle before him afforded.
From the present large and respectable assemblage
he looked back to the origin of the Society Of which
he was one of the original members. From a few
they have become numerous body, and he rejoiced
in their profession.
In conclusion, he submitted the following toast
The Columbia Typographical Society Having al
ways been composed Of good metal, it's impression is
as fair now as in its first edition of 1915.
BY the Committee Of Arrangements j. IT. Ib,c-
ers-is name toners high above those of larger
dimensions in the City Councils.
Mr.. Towers acknowledged the compliment in
pertinent terms and, after n few words the
/" contract system" which had been introduced by
preceding speakers he offered the following toast
cal Society-Thirty five annual roitmes have been
issued may each succeeding annual be as free
from blot and blur as its predecessors.
BY the Committee Of Arrangements: J. S. Gala
her-He has proved that the best men 10 " audit
the accounts of the Treasury, those familiar
with rule and figure cork.
Mr.. GALLAHER, in reply, briefly alluded to his
own connexion with the press. He concluded by
giving the following toast:
The Lever greater than OF Archimedes-thc in
venton Of the fifteenth century-'tis Printing that
moves the world. Let kings and tyrants tremble.
By the Committee of Arrangements: Mr.. Thar
ton, Of Wheeltng-An esteemed member of the
craft we cordially welcome him at the festive
board.
Mr.. WHARTON acknowledged the toast in a plea
SAINT and complimentary speech, and concluded
with a sentiment.
By the Committee of Arrangements: The Bali
its members in festivities o-night, and only
wish more ofthem were here TO get take of the copy
before
Mr.. SuLrzrR, of the Baltimore Society, responded
very happily TO the above toast, expressing much
qualification at being present. and at the reciprocal
good feelings which bad always existed between
the Baltimore and Columbia Typographical Socie-
tics and concluded by offering the following toast:
The Printers Of Washington! They have already
assisted largely in setting up a column, such as
should be source Of honest pride to every Ameri-
can hcart-May i stand forever, proud monu-
mcnt ofnational glory; and may the bad letters ofpo
tica and civil discord cause tito fall into pi
By the Committee Of Arrangements: Walter
Lenor-A I" fine specimen" of our City Fathers
Mr.. LESox acknowledged the compliment.
Mr.. McNERHANY delivered an excellent speech
responsive 10 toast in the ofwhch the "con
tract system was thoroughly examined.
Several other excellent speeches subse-
quently delivered by Messrs. Robinson John Seas
ford senior; and then the President read to the
wAsHIsaToS, January 3, 1880.
GENTLEMEN: thank you for the invitation TO
the supper intended 10 celebrate the thirty fifth
niversary Of the Columbia Typographical Society.
| would be most happy il ] could attend it; but,
now laboring under a bad cold, am afraid that
should aggravate it by being out at night.
In lieu of my personal presence offer the SEN
tment:
7ae Memory Of FrankIin-Thc printer, the pa
triot, the philosopher.
cat I yottr
ii. CLAY.
Messrs. CHARLES +. LowREy, and other members
Of the Committee of Arrangements.
HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WAsHSGToS, January 4, 1850.
GENTLEMEN have been honorcd with your in
vitation TO dine with the Columbia Typographical
Society on the evening of the 5th and have delayed
n reply in the hope that my health would warrant
me in accepting your invitation. Apprehensive
now that may not be able TO enjoy your festivities
in person, respectfully add sentiment, with the
assurance Of the grateful esteem with which am
your obedient servant,