The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-01-26


character, matured as it has been, entirely un-
ers, who are, with but single exception, citi-
zens of the Territory and residents OF this city,
of Minneapolis and of vic:nage of seven
the beholder as one stretching over the might
lest Of rivers, and in immediate proximity 10
the beautiful fall Of waters, of which it forms
a graceful accessory and counterpart cannot
fail to challenge the admiration of our fellow
citizens throughout the country, and extort
from them the need of praise which so justly
belongs to enterprises OF so gigantic and SUI
cessful q character. And not only so to its
engineer and architect, S. M. GRIFFITH, ESQ +,
will they assign proud place among the ma :
ter spirits Of our country, who have done 20
much towards elevating our reputation in
those branches of science and of mechanics
which reflect lustre upon us as q nation abroad,
and contribute so much to our comfort ana
happiness as a people at home. refer now
to such eminent men as Col. Long, Major
Whistler, Major Brown, Mr.. Ellet, Mr.. Roeb.
ling, Col. Turnbull. Mr. Adams, Mr.. Hault
and Mr.. McCallum.
But, MIR. President, there are other peasons
to speak on this occasion; and although
know should be pardoned in prolonging SO
prolific and interesting theme; yet the winged
hours are fast flying apace, and 1 am admon-
ishet to bring my words to u close. l cannot
do this, however, without responding to the
last clause of the toast that has been read,
which is as follows:
"Mav the Bridge, which shall afford him
pathway across that other river, at the end OF
life's Journey, be as faclle OF passage, and may
the Great Architect welcome him to that home
on the other side, which is free from all shade
of sorrow and unbroken 10y a single care
This portion of the complex sentiment Of
the toast has, as the other portions have had,
nv hearty concurrence. All of life, it may be
said, is the time given in which to construct
that bridge which is to carry US safely over the
bllors of life. Each one knows for himself,
how intimately he is applying his mind and
his heart to this chief business of raising
structure Of character for himself, which, while
it meets the secret appreciation of his chief,
the Great Architect of the World, in the pro-
cesses of its erection, will ensure for him pas
sage to that other side, which will admit him
to an intimate fellowship with that Great Ar
chitect That such bridge, suspended as it
must be, over the tide of life, by the chains of
our affections and the ties which bind us to
each other and to our Great Ruler and Judge
will be found to have been erected by our re-
spected friend and professional brother, as we'll
as by US all at the end of life, is the sincere
wish of him upon whom has been devOlved
the honor of responding to the toast which has
been offered.
O. The Mechanics of the work-Their skill has been
fully endorsed by their la5ors.
Mr.. GRIFFITH responded
MIR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEH:
nd, oJ ho tho of thoo-
ry we're not for the skill which forms the plastic
iron converts the monarchs of the forest into
Heated frames, the rude products Of the quarry into
the architectural pile.
The music which best accords with the spirit CT
the age beats upon the mechanics 1t thunders
from the huge trip hammer; the giant wheels of the
rolling mills us they grasp the liquid fire to return it
in rbbands of iron; the kissing of steam; the cnk
Of hammers closing rivets up, not encasng some VAL
liant knight in his crustaceous shield, and announcing
through the dread hours Of night that another
has set battle should be lost won, but that
levathan is to be armed with power to stem the
ocean tide.
The implements Of peace, the engines of war, alike
are the gifts Of skill directed by taste, Judgment
theory.
The ideal Of general plan, rade sketch, and
these submitted To The test of experiment, calculation,
and the theory Of the laws which govern matter and
mechanical force, then the finished plan einbodying
these and the result OF previous and contemporary
perience, including everything that is necessary, re-
jec.ing everything exraneOus-these are the egitI-
mate province of design. But skill takes up the
tain where theory leaves it, in the person Of
chanics, and y her well directed and untirnS efforts
the realization appears.
1t elicis our surprise, it may he our admiration-
Then the ideal is orgoiten the sketch is unnoticed,
and the plan serves only basis for future opera
tions recording as it does in detail that which has
been successful Or otherwe e. Too often the mpor-
tnt part which skill performs is Serted in the
qel and the production arrests only the attention OF
the designer and its author, or II the structure he
faulty. the condemnation OF both.
The ringing Of the smiths hammer, and the blows
of the axe, all borme away on the Winds the sc'nt'i-
atons from the forge, and the chips Of the carEen-
tr,'s tools, mingle nth the soil enter into new
chemical com, lions or other organic forms lime
rolls on and share the fate OF the material HAS
tered. The proud structure boasts longer life than
those no made it, and those no pass contemplate
only the pecuiiariles Of the design
Can we, then, with justice, occasion like this,
neglect to measure the brin the tribute that is due
to the industry and skill in the mechanic arts of those
who, in their various trades, have directly or indi-
recy contributed to the success Of the enterprise
are here 10 commemorate
TO- The Mississippi River Wire Suspension Bridge Com
pany-Su ficcntly honored in being the first to open
the Father Of Waters" pathway to the march
of Empire.
Hon. II. H. SIBLEY responded briefly, and
paid Just tribute to the efforts of Messrs.
Steele, Gilbert, Parsons and Others, by
whose energy and liberality the whole work
had been constructed
Il The Press of the Te-rtory-,ay its chief glory be
its Independence.
GEO. D. Bowman, Esq, editor of the St.
Anthony Express, responded to this toast.
r. The Western Pioneer-The true representative of
The spirit of the 10th century.
Mr.. GEORGE F. BRorr, Esq, arose and
commenced by stating that the individual
who had been selected to respond to the
sentiment just read, found himself in this