The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-17
The Printers-The Day They Celebrate,

The Printers--The Day They Celebrate.
Tho American Printer Is makeup Of the
proper materials to vsnsrate the Franklin
character, and to celebrate appropriately the
anniversary Of his birth. The boy who has
done the DEVILS drudgery in and about print
ing Office; who has, night in and night out, set
types at tho case from hierogly phics, which
strsamed with the light Of the eloquence of tho
brilliant intelleots of the day; who has
familiarised himself with the hight and depth
and fullness Of the minds Of others, and is
ready by his own off-hand Judgment of men
and things to put away his composing stick,
and lay aside his rule, after full service as a
journeyman printer, and fill any reasonably
responsible station, is proper person to cele-
brato this day. The Typo can think clearly,
write perspicuously, and lay down the law as
strongly and as wisely as the workman from
any other branch of trade-if he does not
surpass every othsr. Printers have read the
life and learned the lessons of franklin, and
many okshem initiate his example in the
walks Of science, in the Offices of state, or in
tho control Of newspapers. To-day, in cele-
bration Of him whose name is known and
honored in all lands--on this his birthday
anniversary-typos of all grades unite to re-
member Franklin's worth, and to enjoy a
social reunion.
On these festival occasions the craft gen.
orally, with their sweethearts and wives,
have moderate mirth, as we propose to
have tonight, whom employers and en-
ployed-displayed letter, large and small
caps, all in "pi'-sll branches of the craft
meet together to honor the self-made man,
the apprentice and proprietor printer, the
philosopher and statesman, the great Boston
Yankse-Ben Franklin. he was the son Of
poor parents, passed out Of the greasy doors Of
his fathers tallow-chandler shop, and was
bound apprentice to learn the art of printing.
He had his day Of tribulation, and was refined
by tho fire Of trials, for his proved to be the
true metal. He published the Gazette, at
Philadelphia, kept q stationary store, issued
Poor Richards Almanac, and kept the Post
Office. He started the first fire company,
became law-maker in the State and Post
master. General Of the Colonies. He was
Colonel in the army, and European agent Of
the Colonies. He was recognized in Europe
as an eminent philosopher. He stood before
Kings with honor, and kissed their Queens
gallantly. He came home and was sent to
the Congress which gave US our Nationsl
Independence; was foreign minister, and
maker Of treaties abroad, and helped to form
the Constitution under which We live-which
glorious instrument and its concessions, ex.
tremists seek to snnul with their higher law
and lower lawlessness. He was one Of the
Washington-Jef Jefferson style Of Abolitionists,
and was content to wait the good time coming.
The writings the sayings and doings Of
Dr.. franklin were practical wisdom, not the
folly Of more theory, and hence the recurrence
to his teachings, and his example is wise
procedure of the compositors, pressman,
printers devils, flyers and feeders, and poor
newspaper -proprietors, who all should honor
the day, o. long a. printing-ink and type are
used. Success to the printers and their wites
and wee ones.