The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-01-18


MAN. Ilewas never idle. His mind and
hand were ever busy with some scheme Of
practical utility or beneyolepce. While he
worked as 4 Printer, he had his daily task
TO do, and did Il cheerfully. And yet he
found time, in books, an study, aud inter-
course with men, to increase his store OF
knowledge, and apply It to the benefit OF
his fellow men. He was 3 sELP-MADE MAN,
and-(what does not always followp)-a
wETd.-made man. And thfs Is ONE lesson
his life teaches us. The apprentice or
jOurneyman rarely, III ever, II required to
work more than ten hours OF the twenty
four. Eight are enough for sleep. Aud
this leaves Six for recreation and sclEin-
pavement. six hours day-thirty-six
hours week--thirty- hundred and
ninety hours ycar-Ofspare timei rightly
used, not squandered in idleness and slotl,
who can say what II may not accomplish
lie WAS n FRUGAL man. Ills tastes were
simple-his habits plain--his wants few.
And because they were 40, mot In spite of
them--he always enjoyed cheerful dispo-
sition and robust health Had he been
born to ease, and nursed in the lap Of lux
ury, the world might never have known
that such q man ~ Franklin lived. You all
remember the amusing account he gives OF
his first entry into Philadelphia runa-
way apprentice-with but dollar in his
pocket, and q roll of bread under each arm.
The scene was one 10 smile at, doubtless,
but to those who could look beneath the
surface OF things, it was a picture of manly
self-reliance almost sublime 1t was at
once the key TO his character. IL said, In
language more eloquent than words -
Here am |, Ben Franklin, poor and friend
less, In a strange city. But have 4 stout
heart and a willing hand, and SO long rs
can earn n penny to buy loaf of bread, l
ask no more from mortal man"
He was q TEMPERATE man--temperate in
his meat and drink-temperate in all his
desires and appetites-temperate in word
and act. He achieved that most difficult
and yet most important of all cOnquests-
the mastery over self
If his life had furnished nothing else for
an example to us, this quality alone would
make IL worthy of our constant study and
That he was an HONEST man, sprang
naturally from the possession and practice
of the virtues l have named.
He was an INDEPENDENT man. No ia
yors swayed him and no fears could awe.
lie invariably pursued what appeared to
him to be right, regardless of the praise or
the censure OF men. His aims were not
selfish, and therefore he had no occasion TO
use the arts of dissimulatlorl. lie cherished
no inordinate ambition, s.nd therefore he
never ''stoOped to conquer" He was not
avaricious, and therefore no desire for gain
ever tempted him to swerve from the line
OF conscious rectitude. .It. n .s .F
Franklin always HoNaRED HIS VOCATION.
He had love for it, and q pride In It.; and
he did nothing to bring it into discrcdit or
disgrace. Would that, in this respect, his
example were more closely followed. IL
we would command the respect OF others,
we must respect ourselves. yli .lprra8
There are other traits I'm the character of
Franklin, which deserve notice, but as my
letter Is growing long and weary win
refrain. NH u ..4uH .rI laarlf
y. Our trade, gentlemen-I use the plain,
old-fashioned word, 'purposely, for at this
day, when every baIss-faced imposter as
sumes the title of Professor, the aflectation
that substitutes the w ord PROFESSION may
well be east off--our trade offers no fat
tering prospect to those who intend to.
make the acquisition OF wealth the aim of
their lives. But to those who would fol-
low the nObler purpe 'se of making them
selves useful in their day and generation,
1t opens one of the widest fields. 1t is the
printers daily privi lege to print the
thought that will inspil e to deeds Of mercy,
OF love, of courage, or OF herOism, many a
heart that would othe rwise have beat for
nOught-to proclaim tht, fact that will make
plain the pathway of II fe to many doubt
ing mind-t0 record the event that will de-
eide the fate OF men nd nations. lie is
the teachers teacher, th students eye, the
orators tongue, the an thor's right hand,
the statesman's prompt err the preachers
librarian, the lawyers most trusty clerk,
the merchants courier, the artisans guide.
View him AS you may place him where
you will; raise him to competence and
honor, or keep him in poverty and OBJ
scurity--the Printer is nothing II he is not
AZ Franklin was, a useful man.
Many Printers have lived aud died since
Franklins day. But the world has seen no
III ..sGr lsaaa 30.
approach him In amy of those qualities and
achievements that made him so truly great.
But with his bright example constantly
before us, for our study and imitation, we
can hardly fail TO be enlightened by his
genius, and purified by his virtues. I z
In conclusion permit me to add toast:
BENJAMN FRANkLIN-The patriot, prin-
ter and hilosopher--although his .loin,,
long ago locked up in the embrace OF death,
his good deeds will still live in the hearts
OF his adnliring cOuntrymen. N'
Yours, fraternally,
+. II. EYER.
After this \ general good time was had.
Every one who could talk had his say.
Songs were sung,-wit had its full sway; {;
Shakespeare, Byron and Moore were resorted
to with familiarity seldom witnessed on
such occasions, and the parties separated 1t
an early hOur-about three his morning.
well satisfied with themselves and the en-
joyment of the occasion.
Ii was stepping stone ia the pathway OF
the craft that will not soon be forgotten.
The festivities were enliveI,ed with the
eloquehtly discoursed music ,of the Regi-
mental Band. The printers d esire US tore
turn the thanks of the comma nv TO Mike