The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-01-26

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habits, attentive to his business, and
never above his profession. When IN
attendance on Courts or before crowned
heads he was always clothed in his
homespun apparel, and labored to make
the MIND reflect the MAN, instead of the
gaudy decorations and splendid equi-
pages of deprayed fashion.
His essays and proverbs should be
committed 10 memory by devil and pub
Usher, and editors should always re-
member that anecdote of his which
shows his independence of character.
1t is said his patrons were disposed at
times to find fault with some of his ideas
advanced through his journal while pub
fishing paper in Philadelphia. He
looked around upon his humble circum-
stances. his dependence upon the COM
munity for support, his own position as
man. His course was resolved upon.
He learned the names of the principal
fault-Gnders and croakers, and politely
invited them to partake of dinner at
his house on certain day. The party
assembled, the hour arrived for dinner,
and Franklin ushured his guests into his
dining room. They arranged themselves
around the table, and were seated
Franklin did the honors of the occasion.
Before them was sdw-dust pudding,
smoking hot as it came from the kettle.
(Applause. Cups of water were hand
ed around. His guests, who were the
most prominent men of Philadelphia,
looked on with amaz ement. Invited to
partake of dinner with the celebrated
Franklin, and indingonly saaO-dust pud-
ding before them was enough to astonish
any man. Franklin helped all to dish,
and invited them to eat. He set them
an example by partaking heartily of the
food before him, and yet his guests look
ed on in silence. Franklin broke the
charm which held his friends to their
seats spell-bounG. "Gentlemen,' said he,
"since | have learned that can live on
saw-dust pudding, drink cold water, and
sleep nights on the floor, wrapped in my
overeoat, / have learned that lam not so
far dependent upon the public for sup
port as many suppose. Having found
that | can subsist without bartering away
my independence | have resolved to do
so; and though l value the good opinion
of all men as above price, yet | will new
er prostitute myself or my press to do
that which does not meet with my perfect
appreciation, and, at the same time, | will
promulgate every sentiment and opinion
which believe the interest ofmy coun-
try demands without fear or favoritism. /"
(Cheers.)
He closed. His guests gathered around
him, stammered outa balf-denial, half
apology, that they had attempted to con-
troll the press, and told him that they had
implicit confidence in his integrity, and
for the future he should not lack mate
rial aid"
It's said night found ou- exemplar's
larder we'll stored with all the necessaries
and delicacies of life, and never after
did he find himself reduced to absolute
want. He always looked upon his saw
dust pudding as one of the most import
ant incidents of an eventful life, and was
never after complained of for publishing
an independent news journal.
| have absolutely trespassed too far
upon your time to think Of reviewing the
rise and progress of the art of printing
this evening. The subject is fruitful
one, and | trust some member of the
craft will be pleased on this occasion to
trace it up from the first invention of type
and the publication of the first book,
just 400 years ago, to the present time.
The history, if complete, would till vol
umes, and each page would be replete
with interest.
Should we go back to Ben. Franklin's
day, and find the art as then practiced,
and follow it up with all the improve
ments of the old Ramage press, with
sheep skin balls for hiking. to the pres
ent time through cast iron and machine
presses and composition rollers to the
mammoth lightning presses of Hoe d
Co., we should find the Improvements
| sufficient to startle us.
Ladies and Gentlemen: the occasion
is propitious for thought, reflection and
expression. | trust each of you will
contribute your influence in making the
evening truly social one, and may we
meet annually around the festive and So
cial board to commemorate the joyous
occasion which has called US together.
The President took his seat amidst the
elapping of hands and applause of the
audience.
Mr.. j. SHORT offered the following
toast -
Lswrsncs-It has. like mushroom, as it were
sprung up in night. We hope, however, its
years will number ages.
To which Mr.. BoYER responded in a
few remarks, stating that he had been one
of the pioneers to Lawrence, and had
identified his interests with the interests
of the place, that he hoped the rapid
growth of Lawrence during the past
year would be surpassed in the next, and
that every coming year would bring US
y larger increase. not onIv of printers.