The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-11
IN ADVANCE.
MUM B ER 4s.

of his paper, gave offence to the representa-
tives of the Crown, whereupon he was ar
rested and ordered before the Assembly in
Boston, censured, and imprisoned for a month
by the speakers warrant, because the name
of the author Of the offensive article was not
discovered
by the imprisonment of his brother. Ben
Jamin franklin became the manager of the
paper, during which time he says he made
bold to give their rulers some severe rubs
i in il; faint prelude it was of what follow
ed in after years from
"liim whose genius gave
To tyrants hopes an early gmve."
James Franklin was discharged upon con-
dition that he s.,ould no longer print the N.
England Courant
This, says Mr.. Sparks. was probably tiIe
; first transaction in the American Colonies re-
lating to the freedom of the press, and it is
not less remarkable for the assumption Of
power on the part of the Legislature, than
! for their disregard ofthe first principles, and
/ established forms If law.
do not propose. gentlemen, to consume
my time and weary your patience with an
enumeration or the early difficulties and tn
ais through which our illustrious typo was
called to pass, but ask your indulgence a
little further, that | may introduce one or
TIVE circumstances which occurred in the life
| or this wonderful man, which is certainly
one OF the most remarkable histories, ALI
things considered, which the pen of the bio:
! grapher has ever recorded.
| Whilst engaged in the early publication
OF the Pennsylvania Gazette, Mr.. Franklin
found occrsion 70 remaik with some degree
OF freedom, on the public conduct of one OF
two persons ofhigh standing in Philadelphia.
This course was disapprovsd of by some of
his patrons, who sought an opportunity to
convey to him their views Of the subject,
and what they represented to be the opin;
ions Of his friends. He listened patiently,
and replied by requesting that they would
| iavor HIM with their company at supper, and
bring with them the other gentlemen who
4! had expressed dissatisfaction. The time
arrived and the guests assembled, he received
them cordially and listened again to their
friendly reproofs of his editorial conduct.
At length supper was announced, but when
the party seated themselves around the ta-
= bic, they were surprised to see nothing be-
! fore them but two puddings made of coalse
meal, called saw dust puddings in the COM
mon phrase, and stone pitcher flied with
water. He helped them all and then appli-
ed himself to his own plate, partaking freely
of the repast, and urging his friends to do
The same. Trey taxed their politenesa to
the utmost, but in vain; their appetites refsz
sed obedience to the will. Percciving their
difficulty, franklin at last arose and said,
MY friends, any man who can subsist upon
saw-dust pudding and water, as can, needs
no mans patronage" Franklin's indepen-
dcnce as an editor, gentlemen, is worthy of
imitation; he was ever willing, where it was
proper, to praise, but never afraid to blame.
complete history of the press of our
country would be interesting to many Of us
on the present OCCASION and afford fruitful
themes for thought and speculation, bur as
our limits are necessarily crcumscribed, We
can only glance mt the wonderful results
which have followed the rise and progress
of the press.
1t is sufficient for our present purpose
that we know since the art Of printing was
discovered, the world has made many steps
in the progress of science and civilization.
Let us go back in our Imagination fifty
years, and we shall he surprised with the
state OF things at that period, contrasted
with the present age. Half a century ago,
steamboats, were unknown; whilst Mt this
time it is estimated that not less than three
thousand are afloat on American waters
alone. In 1900 there was not a Railroad in
the woIld-=nOw there are nearly twenty-six
1
of construction, in the United States, and
shout nineteen thousand in Europe Eifty
years ago it required some weeks to convey
news from Washington to New Orleans.
no" not SO many minutes as it then did
d weeks lhe numerous lines OF telegraph
IN ful! operation, from a net work over tho
length and breadth of our land, to the ex-
tent OF at least $4,000 miles Of wire Sixty
mree years ago the hrst Cotton Factory in
I tne Chited States was established in Rhode
islahd' now thslr number Is almost count-
tess;ahd throughout the land the busy whirl
OF the spindle, and the ceaseless ham Of the
'o1m may be heard at almost every step
flity years ago the most rapid printing
H. hoan",;a.,; Iaa Mo'Nee oy naho powet' now, oy
G G;hppi'"son ao aon y, s.cah, "itn the spesd Oh
s!Sa.in !is, So'Too papers are printed In
snSn noul E.en 'his estimate wii Ia
time t m;I " H. "nhi .h1o 'ns press ~ very sho.
NAV rsa.oOeblv @ Sr "rnso, 40 IicSPsn tba, Ina