Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-01-30

ton of the Comm ttec at this time to have made a
presentation of Silver Service, appropriately in
scribed, to Mr.. Griffith, but in cons ,quence of the
non-arrival OF the gift, they were obliged to de-
fer it until some future day. lie then read the
following resolution from the Board of Dircctors.]
Resolved. That the Mississippi River Bridge
Co., do present to L. NJ. GRIFFITH, ESD, Engineer,
as testimony of the high estimation in which
We hold him, and his services in tn, construction
and managem mt of work, Il Silver Service,
appropriately Inscribed, and that such prescnta
ton shall be nude as soon us the proper articles
for the sama can be procured in some one of the
Eastern cities. +. MORRISON, Pres.
S. NJ. Trac-, See.
Mr.. Griffith then came forward and respon:.e | to
the toast as follows:
Mr.. President, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
Fruitless indeed would be the specuations of
theory, were it not for the skill which forms the
plastic iron, converts the monlrchS OF the forest
into complicated frames, the rude products of the
quarry into the architectural pie.
The music which best accords with the spirit of
the age beats upon the mechanics ear. 1t thun-
ders from the huge trip hammer; the giant wheels
of the rolling mills as they grasp the liquid fire
to return it in ribbands of iron; the Kissing of
steam; the olnk of hammers, closing rvcts up, not
encasing some valiant knight in his crustansous
shield, and announcing through the dead hours of
night that ere another sun sets battle shall be
lost or 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 g:fts Of skill directed by taste, udg
ment or thcory.
The ideal of general plan, rude sketch, and
these submitted to the test experiment, ca!cu-
lation, and the theory of the laws which govern
matter and mechanical force, then the finished
pan embodying these and the result of previous
and contemporary experience, including all that
is necessary, rejecting everything extraneous-
these are the legitimate province Of design. But
skill takes up the train where theory leaves it, in
the person of our mechanics, and by our wei; di-
rectel and untiring efforts the realization appears
1t clicts our surprise, it may be our admira-
tion.-Then the ideal is forgotten, the sketch is
unnoticed, and the plan serves basis for fu-
ture operations, recording it does IN detail that
which has been successful or otherwise. Too Of
ten the important part which skill performs, is ne
elected in the sequel, and the production arrests
only the attention of the de ;igncr and its author
or if the structure be faulty, the condemnation Of
both.
The ringing Of the smiths hammer, AMI the
blows of the axe, are borne away on the winds
the scintiationS from the forge, and the chips of
the carpenters tools, mnge with the soil to en-
ter into new chemical combinations, or other Or
llc md oh h.,
fate of the material wasted. The proud struc-
ture boasts longer life than those who made it.,
and those who pass contemplate only the pccu-
liarities of the design.
Can we, then, with justice, on an occasion like
this, neglect to measure to the brim the tribute
that is due to the industry and skill in the me-
chanic arts Of those who, in their various trades
have directly Indirectly contributed to the sue
cess of the enterprise here to commcmo-
rat? pplause-music.)
III. The Mississippi Rirer Uire Suspension
Bridge Co.-Suffciently honored.in being the first
to open across the s'Fathcr Of Waters pathway
to the ''inarch Of Empire"
Hon. III. ii. Sibley, on being called fo., remark
ed that the speakers had been advised by the
Chairman that short speeches were the order of
the day. 1t would have been far better if some
one else than Stakeholder anu a Director in the
Company had been called on to respond to the
sentiment. AS for himself his efforts had been
humble, but to Franklin Steele was due the cred
it Of having originated the idea Of constructing a
Wire Suspension Bridge across the VI ssissippi,
and to him more than any else, was due the credit
Of pushing forward the enterprise to its compile
ton. Mcssrs. Parsons and Gilbert had also ia
ken active parts and deserved great credit. 1t
would ill become the speaker to relate the Difficult
ties that had been experienced by the Committee
or the large amount of money required to build
the Bridge. He might also revert to other cir
cumstanccs connected with the work, but it could
not be expected that he would do so in an after din
ner spcech-that should be reserved for some 9TH
er time. \ much less expensive Bridge might
have been constructed, but other considerations
than mere money making influenced the stock
boilers. They desired Bridge which would re-
feet credit upon the Territory of Minnesota, and
such bridge they possessed. Some little credit
should be given to the company for not going out
of the Territory to enlist cipital-cvery dollar
had been raised among the residents of Minneso-
ta-no foreign aid had been called in, and for this
the Company deserved some credit.
The Hon. gentleman alluded % Mr.. Griffith, tho
Engineer in lattcring terms. paying high tribute
to his abilities mechanic, his attachments as
scholar, and his honesty rs man. To him the
citizens of Minnesota were indebted for one of
the best modelled Bridges in the United States
1t stands rs monument of his genius.
The Company, in the construction of this Bridge
had the wants and comforts of the travelling COM
munity in m nd-part:calarly the ladies', who are
generally DESTROYS Of visiting each other: they had
engaged the services of that good natured, excel
lent Fcrryman, Capt. Taper, who enjoys wide
reputation for his genial good nature and his a.
daptabi!ity to pleas. In view of all thes, on
sidcrations Mr.. S. thought the company deserved
some credit, and he believed the community would
chcerfully accord it. (Applausa and music.)
II. The press offhe Te1iiory.-Nlay its chief
glory be its independence.
The response to this toast was by Mr.. Bowman,
OF the St. Anthony Express. lie said:
Mr.. President, ladies and Gentlemen
Unaccustomcd rs am to the "set forms Of
speech l should not venture TO respond to this
toast but in answer to the call of the committee.
Ii fail to give the sentiment its just due. or to
deliver my IDEAS with the adayio and anda,ti they
demand, shall at least have the len ent indul-