The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-02-01


the moral and intellectual world"
lie here alluded to the condition OF
the mass of the people before the discov-
cry of printing when means of gaining
knowledge were only attainable by the
rich--in the feudal ages when the great
mass of mankind were ignorant of their
rights and miserable and degraded; and
compared that period with the present
when the press is doing its mighty work.
When, in this country at least, the news
paper and the book reach every village
and every house, even the most remote
hut in the forest. 1t was true that IL tie
former period there was indiriellG5 de-
velopment-It was in the feudal hall that
the poet sung his first song when Europe
was emerging from darkness. 1t was
true that that period generated chivalry,
but it was period in which the multi
tude were debased. With the advance
of the Press the condition of fman has been
gradually ameliorated until the present.
He here alluded to the mission of the
Press in the future, especially in our own
country. 1t has mighty work to per-
form. To you who represent it is entrust-
ed great and powerful lever, which
by bad management may pull down the
pillars of our republic, remove the foun-
dations of our free institutions, and make
desolate our fair country; or, which by
good management may support those
pillars, prosper our free institutions, and
make our land to smile with blessings for
man. Fellow laborers at that mighty
lever, We must be true to our duty. Let
it not be said that the Press has not done
its whole work for the country.
He here spoke of the prosperous con-
dition of the United States; of their carly
history and she part that Franklin acted
in it,
In conclusion, he thanked the presi-
dent for his mark of respect in calling
him to respond to the toast. He was
pleased that they had met together
There was enough in the turmoil and
strife of this life, to say nothing of its
sore affections, to dishearten and Cypress
US The path was rough, and it was well
at times to soften its asperities with So
cial meetings, and social interchange of
thoughts and feelings. Such meetings
are bright occurrences in our existence,
relieving Us for a time from the world S
strife. They are happy moments to
which we may recur with pleasure when
our time for their enjoyment has been
determined in the natural course of things
] Again, it is well to thus commemorate
the names of those whose virtues and no.
bic deeds have distinguished them in their
day and generation; such as as have spent
their lives in contributing to the happi-
ness of their race, as did the statesman,
the philosopher, and printer, whose name
and'deeds we would keep fresh in memo
~ and to whom We now point the young
as bright example for their emulation
He hoped it might not be the last meet
ing of the kind in Easton, but that the
printers of the Borough might contin1e
to commemorate the day when the pres
cnt participants have given up their plac
es for another generation which has sue
ceeded them in the worlds change.
We do not offer this as faithful re
port Of Mr.. Coolers response to the
sentiment. Although unexpectedly call
ed upon to speak upon a given subjec
for which he had made no preparation
be was very entertaining throughout, ane
was very frequently applauded for tn
fervid eloquence which marked his speech
At the conclusion of Mr.. Cooley's re
marks, the following letter from Col. JNo
w. FoRNEY, was read. Mr.. Yates iutro
duced the letter by an appropriate refer
ence to the career of Mr.. Forney. Ii
said, that once a poor printer boy, he re
moved to Philadelphia, where by his owl
unaided exertions he attained position
of eminence as an editor, co-equal wit
the most noted in our land. He at thi
time occupies the proud position of Clerl
of the House of Representatives of tn
United States, and is the intimate frien
r of the President. The career of Nj
Forney should afford encouragement t
those present.
, WASHINGTON, January 3, 1855.
= Gentlemen: 1t would give me SINGER
pleasure 10 meet you on the lIth or January
but am compelled to remain at my post
Washington. This must be my excuse ft
S declining your warm and pressing invitation
a There is much in the career of Benjaml
D Franklin (whose birthday you propose
| commemorate) which may be contemplate
: with interest.
Who can faithfully describe his characte
his progress, and the trophies cf his exper
ence In his high individuality we have
c example eloquent of encouragement to a
J ages and to all men. He educated himsel
e In early life he disclosed those elemen
which, ripening afterwards, gave to the wor
n statesman, patriot, a sage! lie began h
4 struggle with fortune penniless and poor al
subsequently bafiied the intrlgues of the En-
. lisb Court, and aroused all France to that
: preciation of himself and his cause whl'
e made him the embodiment of the great Anne
: can idea that finally electrified manklhd,aI
n made us an independent nation.
|, Recollect that all this occurred befo
: science had covered our Contltent WI
It blessings-before the application OF steam
propelling power-whlle our communltl
!, were few and feeble-while oppression hui
!, like midnight pail upon our torders-wh
the savage roamed the master OF our IN