The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-07-20
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little good 70 The State. From such itisuds
let the young printer fec, ss from his Won't
enemy. The multiplication Of presses has
produced competition in the business,
chcapening letter press below its real VAL
ue, and consequently lessening the prics
Of labor, in that line. Indeed, there b
no other pursuit which il not more remu-
nerative. This is one Of the evils which'
demands your attention 10 remedy. An
other is, to promote that esprit ds eorps-
that harmonious action In regulating . tar
i'd OF prices which is essential to the pros
perity Of every productive pursuit. And
this your Association is designed To bfinR
about. / will not here enter into rarticu-
lars in relation to the desirable reforms
which are necessary 10 be made, to rendSf
printing adequately remuncrative. This
is more especially the duty of tho Associs-
ticn to discuss In conclave, and, therefore,
l shat leave the subject for your delibera-
ton. 81. l,-g 90 n 81
There is one subject, however, which I
would urgently press upon your attention
Il mean the admission of apprentices in
to the printing Office. They are too often
selected with little or no reference to their
advance in education. It 10 true that more
than one example is afforded in recorded -
we'll as 10 cotemporary biography, Of men
overcoming obstacles which, to others,
would be insurmountable, and of arriving
at eminence in our profession, and Secom-
ing "the cynosrre Of neighboring eyes,"
as well as national eyes. But such instans
ces are rare. Every age does not produce
Franklin. The printers bov should be
well acquainted with all the branches of
elementary learning, at least, and if farth-
er advanced in higher attainments, 90 much
more profitable would he be to his employ.
or, and then his business will essentially
assist him to improve his mind, and to
initiate the bright examples set before
him. .cl --cT
The early printers, who lived soor after
the invention Of the art, were men of deep
lea arning especially in the dead languages,
and able translators Of them into their own
vernacular tongues. Pope says: b.aaa
"a little learning is dangerous thing
Drink Deep or taste not the Pierian spring;
There shallow rnughts intoxicateth brain,
And drinking largely soben Us again.
Perhaps Pope meant this language 10
apply to poetic composition, but it 10 inap-
plicable in any sense, and I know not, 10
Pope's writings, other four lines which con-
tain SO much of false sentiment. Pope
was great poet, and, as such. has avail
ed himself largely, in this instance at least
of the poets license of sacrificing sense to
sound. A "little learning" certainly is
better than none at all, and this little will
naturally stimulate the mind to acquire
more. 1t is true that "drinking largely"
at the fountain of knowledge is calculated
to teach us our limited capacity TO under
stand the essence Of matter, the constitu-
governs the creai 5ns % oi TOD. IL Is no Jar ar.
gument, however, because we cannot ex-
haust the fountain. of pure water, that We
should not drink of it at all. Let the
young apprentice get as much knowledge
as he can, and let It not be his fault, if he
shall not, in future life, become Webb,
Weed, a Greeley, or Barnes or Sto
rev.
Brethren, We live in an age of strange
events-some to cheer and encourage, 9TH
ers to make tho heart sick. With these
our profession leads US to become more or
less acquainted. In reviewing what is
transpiring in our own country, there is
nothing which should damp patriotism, or
render the prospect Of durability to our in
stitutions less cheering If our political
horizon seems overcast with somo lowering
clouds, which disturb public tranquility,
such q state of things is the effect Of the
working Of our institutions. 1t is better,
perhaps, that such should be tho CASE
The principles Of our government are dis
cnssed now with zeal, earnestness, and sur
passing ability. These principles need to
be tried and tested, that they may have
their due weight and influence with our
citizens. If they have been perverted and
wrested 10 accomplish objects inconsistent
with the welfare Of the Union, and the
enjoyment of personal rights guaranteed
to a free people, no one should despair of
the Republic. They have in their very ma
turc, living, recuperative energy, which
can never die; if, occasionally, they seem
in the midst Of conflicting opinions, to lie
PROSTATE and bereft Of their original, ma
tive force and power, it is the patriotic
hope that they may yet recover new
strength, and, like the fabled Anteus, a.
rise from their prostration, refreshed and
invigoratcd to work out their Legitimate
ends Of promoting good government.
One more topic and close. journalism
in this country, occupies position, scarce
l. second in Importance TO that Of any 9th
er Of our institutions. Indeed, as the mo.
tive power to influence and direct public
action on every question or subject which
affects the masses, it is most powerful Of
all the public agencies now at work. II
is the organ of public action, whether it
be in politics, morals, or social refinement.
II the pulpit has its appropriate duties
committed to its charge, viz: to inculcate
the truths of Religion, and TO educate the
religious affections, so has the press its du.
ties to preform, in giving force to pure NOR
al and political sentiment, and in uphold
ing our evil institutions. Both are or
may he made efficient in. their spheres Of
action to promote the objects which fall
under their supervision, and both have an
irresistible influence 10 social life.
No one, whose memory embraces time
not very remote, can fail TO discover gres,
Improvements in journalism-in the ability
Nth which naweno pare ore e,nducfAd---ip