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

IS
tainment provided for the occasion.
After the cloth had been removed, the following
regular toasts drunk:
Regular Toasts.
l. Our Thirty. .tfth Annipersary: The beginning of
another uOle in the luminous history of our craft
May its every page be radiant with intellectual
light.
2. The Columbia Typographical Society: The heart
of every member is tablet on which the Impression
of its value is stamped in enduring, imperishable
characters. Progrediattr,
governed country in the world-A constitutional
form, resting the affections Of the people, and
solid to be knocked into pi by the ruthless hand Of
Dsunion.
4. The Art Of Printing: Though the Devil claims
its paternity, it has lessened the dominion of dark
ness, and is leading the nations to light and virtue
o. The President Of the United States: An una
dorned Gap to the most splendid monument of hu-
man wisdom
s. Free Schools and a Free Press: The one font
OF knowledge, the other its distributor they form the
character OF our people, and compose the bulwark OF
our national liberties.
T. The american Constitution; Upholding the
columns of the republic and displayed to the full
gaze of an admirng world Honored forever be
its illustrious trainers. Eregeunt montmenttm ere
perennius.
s. Washington: The brightest star in Americas
constellation--an iustrous embodiment of the
splendid qualities that distinguished the great and
the good in the history of the past. [Standing.l
g. The Early Masters of Printing: They set up
beacon-ighs to guide the world to knowledge, and
paved with letters the way to science.
10. american Typos They have demonstrated to
mankind that 'beneath the rule of men entirely
great, the stick is mightier than the sword"
III. The Deceased Members Of our Society; Their
good ,oorks exhibited the pages of science, of
poetry, of history, and philosophy,-and guide the
devotees of learning TO honor, to glory, and re-
nown. Drank standing,l
IL. The american Flag: An emblem of Justice and
hu eve ratr, hIrp
nation, refulgent with glory battered be the arm
first raised to tear single star from its brilliant
folds.
"Flag of the Free-hearts' only home
By angel hands to valor given,
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,
And all thy hues were born in heaven.
Forever float that standard sheet,
Where breathes the foe but fails before US.
With Freedoms soil beneath our feet,
And Freedoms banner streaming oer us."
13. Woman: A golden type, and the most precious
sort in the font Of humanity. May the supply never
out
Whate'er che does, where'cr her steps she bends,
Grace on each action silently attends"
After which, the following toast offered by
the Committee of Arrangements:
Hon w. w. Seaton-The honored head of our
city government, and every inch ga gentleman. y
In response to this toast, MIR. SEAroN replied in
his usual off hand and fecitous manner, copy OF
whose remarks, VIC mHCn Tegret, were NOT oO-
tanned
Boridnd-A clear proof that printing office is the
bost preparatory school for good statesmen.
Mr.. B0RLAND rose and responded as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT Like the gentleman " ho has pre-
ceded me- rise, certainly, without preparation to
make speech. Indeed, sir, speech making has
never been the business Of my life; although, for
some months past, have occupied a position in
which speeches arc ''wont 10 be made" tbs true,
k,.r. l.lr ks.
somewhat closely, and habitually to give my
thoughts TO the world upon various questions Of
public interest; yet, "the gray goose quill, and
printers types, rather than the tongue, have been
my organs Of speech and served the kindred
and cooperative channels through which have
held communion with most Of my fellow-men.
And 80 much Of habit, so nearly a "sccond ma
ture" has this become with me, that find IL ex
ceedingly difficult whenever now attemptt, even
To arrange my thoughts in any order, more difficult
still 10 fashion them into sentences, and next to i'm
possible 20 cothe them in words, unless am seated
at my desk, with the pen actually in my hand
But sir, should be barren Of thought and in words
poor beyond degree, if ] was not conscious OF
enough of the former TO appreciate your great
kindness TO me, and could not command so many
Of the latter may express, intelligibly my deep
and abiding thankfulness for that kindness. Sir,
owe you triple thanks this occasion; and now
acknowledge them. thank you for the kind invi-
tation Of last year, which ] was, greatly 10 my
gret, unable TO accept. ] thank you for a repeti-
ton Of the honor at your present anniversary.
thank you for the welcome, and the compliment Of
this night. BE assured, sir, and brethren Of the
Typographical Society, that while my heart is
speedily oblivous Of i'll usage from the weak the
wicked Of this world, il engraves upon tablets of
Steel for grateful and eternal preservation, the in
terest of this occasion, and the kindness of such
friends az meet here tonight.
Perhaps, If reminded, should have been unable
10 suggest subject for remark well suited 10 this
occasion The gentleman who has preceded me
has, however, proposed one which cannot but be Of
interest TO all here present, and upon which there
seems 10 be peculiar propriety in my saying
few words. II is " the contract system OF print
ing for Congress. In what has been already said
upon this subject entirely and heartily concur
have had more than ono opportunity OF knowing
something Of the faults and evils OF this system.
have had personal experience, and no agreeable one,
Of those faults and evils, as public printer in my
own State. And my short service in Congress has
confirmed that experience by more extended OBJ.
scrvation. ] pronounce the whole system bad
one; and from II no man, who understands the SUBJ
jcct, could expect any other than faulty and evil
results. Evils such as these should be removed;
but TO remove them should strike at their root.
Where is that root? The gentleman who fret adj
dressed you (Mr. Seaton) has pointed 1t out. II
consists in the action Of Congress say this with
out any intention 20 censure my colleagues, for
doubtless they have acted from hight sense OF
duty-from a conscientious belief that they were
serving the public interest and saving the public
money, by adopting this system. But in this they
have obviously now made grave mistake-com.
mitted grievous error. Experience has proved
that true economy has not been consulted-that
the public interest has not been fairly served-that
the public money has not been saved; that Is, II we
place true estimate upon that which has been re-
ccivcd in return for the money expended. IL is
time, therefore, that this mistake should be cor
rcctcd and this error aoned for. This can be done
only by abandoning the bad system at once; and,
although il is now impossible to remedy the past
frnt