The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-01-26
once. they took It tarn about, Mr.. EI1orr

once. they took it turn about. Mr.. ELLIorT
leading off:
LADIES AND GENTLEMsN-The light
behind the canvas that reveals the. life
like reality of the painting. should dis
play itself only through the colors of
the picture. and every ray that imparts
only its own light mars the beauty of the
whole. So it is with the Editor-the
light behind the canvas that reveals the
painting of Society. He is seen only
through the object which he illuminates.
Self is lost sight of in faithfulness to
truth and public interest. Thus it is
that the faithful Editor is seldom appre-
ciated. He furnishes the light in which
others shine, and conducts others to
honor and eminence who would, if left
to their own resources, grovel with the
common herd in vain attempts to rise
Applause.
His labors are arduous and his diff
culties seldom understood by those who
have not experienced them. He must
act in the capacity of author and critic.
historian and essayist, moralist. politician
and philosopher He must be theorist
and practical business man, a teacher
and pupil; he must have wide and
far extending vision. that he may see the
whole field before him at a glance. with
the most delicate perception, that the
smallest objects may not be overlooked.
and a deep penetration, that the most OBJ
scure may be seen. The representative
of every rank, profession and condition
in life, he is held accountable for the in
terests of all.
How difficult then must it be to dis
charge the duties of his calling! How
diversified and even conflicting are its
labors! What wonder is it then that so
few are found who aequit themselves
with honor. or are deemed worthy of re-
muneration by the public. But with SO
wide field for labor, and such power
over Society as may be obtained, who
would desert the profession While
hope and labor can attain the highest
objects of ambition, who would aban-
don the field? (Applause,)
Mr.. JOHN SPEER was next called out,
and spoke as follows:
Mr.. CHAIEMAN-I remember to have
read, either IN the Proverbs of Franklin
or Solomon, that if you have nothing to
say. to say nothing! l am in precisely
that TX myself tonight, but inasmuch as
you have called me up, ] will endeayor
to contribute my share, small as it may
be, on the principle that "every little
helps.''
Printers speak with the pen, and not
with the tongue. 1t is their province
to talk in home-spun words at the farm
er's tire-side, long winter evenings like
this, and recount to him the doings of the
world-to the mechanic, while he rests
from his labor-Io the merchant-to the
preacher, and it may be that he whis-
pers suggestion or warning even to
the politician. It's his province to talk
to Society, wi hout oratorical tiourishes.
tie correctS, reVlses, remodels and dress
es up, aided by the Reporter. the speech
es OF your great men. He talks potently
with the pen, but poorly with The tongue,
and who shall say his speeches are not
as telling as those of your man of tongue?
{ (Applause.)
The sentiment embodied in the toast
is truthful. All Editors know that, not
withstanding the obstacles they meet,
there are numberless occasions to re-
joice and feel the importance of their posi-
lion. In his sanctum, surrounded by
exchanges, dabbling with ink and clip
ping with scissors, the Editor is not a
parsonage to be sneezed at! Laughter.
Mr.. Brown followed with few highly
interesting remarks, closing with the ap-
propriate quotation
-'.lf bright star
Were stricken from the dome of night,