Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-25

Of its Press | in q measure helped these
both At intervals OF several years had
kind OF summer torial connection with the
paper which formed the Press OF davenport
and was familiar, as an observer At least,
with tie trials and struggles of those who
labored long and wearily to found q stand
ard newspaper in Scott county. opposed by
obstacles so formidable that there would
have been no disgrace in defeat. When
recollect all that they encountered, and all
that they overcame, their unceasLg labor
and their priyations. how disheartened and
hopeless they were at times, and how many
years they toiled with scarcely . hope for
years to come. Of making more than bare
subsistence-I claim for them honor, !
claim that uo aplrot rate response can we'll
be made to the toast, The Press" at Fes-
tival Of the Old Settlers of Scott county,
without serving up smoking dish of mem
ory to their honor.
That paper thus founded upon trial and
toil,yet lives and has grown with the city's
growth BY its side are three other news
papers from the process OF which fall daily
and weekly snow fake and showers o.. great
white sheets, and one Of these papers is
adapted in its types and language to the
=,
not our own. The Press of Davenport, Tin
the number of its papers. their dimensions.
circulation aud typographical appearance. is
not to be equaled. much less excelled. by
the Press of any othercity of no larger popu.
lation than this,in the Union or The World
This is bold proposition. am aware, but
the fact cannot be truthfully denied, and
challenge q comparison of what other cities
may boast, with what we actually claim a.
our own.
The remarks Of the speaker on the pow
er and influence Of the Press are omitted.
as they were spoken eAtempore, and for
gotten as soon as uttered He closed by
declaring the Press-the strong arm of Sci
ence, the firm foot Of Progress, the heart Of
Humanity, and the soul Of Liberty.
10 tn. Nechante As society decreases 10 intslii-
ee1ce, is the Mechanic appreciated. His position
depends upon himself. He may be an honor 70 his
tr de, or his trade may honor him.
Response by w. S. Collins
Mr.. President: In responding to this SEN
timeut, permit NE to remark that what we
behold in this room at this time, gives sub
stantial evidence that society could never
have arisen to the pinnacle Of glory, refine
ment and blessedness, which'is presented at
this our annual festival without the aid Of
the mechanic These frescoed walls, these
glittering chandeliers, and these tables, COW
cred with dazzling silver ware and china Of
the finest quality, fresh from the hands of
the skilful artisan, and groaning under .
load Of the most delicious edibles prepared
in the richest and most extravagsnt style,
gives increasing evidence of the high es-
teen and honor that should be given to the
mechanic by society.
When letters were invented, says a Chi
nese writer. (which of course was the work
Of the mechauic). the gods were agitated.
the inhabitants Of Hadees wept at night,
while the skies, as an expression Of JOY,
rained down ripe grain.
Society, Sir, has been on the increase in
Intelligence. ever since that person whose
life was perfect model Of innocence and
purity, more than 1900 years ago. worked
as a carpenter. To the mechanic, cir, be-
longs the credit Of introducing into our
world the extensive machinery and imple
ments OF husbandry which have been the
means, under God, Of elevating the human
family to heighth Of glory, intelligence,
happiness and comfort which our fathers.
fifty years ago. never dreamed Of and if 40
much has been accomplished in the last fif
ty years, what may we not expect in the
next fifty or even twenty years. when We
take into consideration that the old settler
mechanics Of Scott County are men of great
experience, combined with originality Of
thought, and possessed of a creative genius
for inventing. designing and executing the
highest and most refined grades Of archtec-
ture in the word With such set of men,
may we not look speedily.for improvements
in travelling, and instead Of the slow, plod-
ding railroad cars may we not have ma
chimes that will move as on the wings Of
the wind, with a velocity that would make
neads Of the present day dizzy to think Of!
And when this shall have been accomplish
ed, and pure and healthy drink shall
have become general, and that kind of
drink which fires the brain and brings on
premature death shall have become extinct.
we may calculate that wretchedness and
want will only be known as things that
were.