The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-17
TIE PRINTERS FESTIVAL.


Celebration OF tho issth Anniversary
OF Fr&nklin's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ment by the Typograp hical Society NJ
Turn Hall-Rem arks by the Rev.
Irenseus Prime, w. c. bryant, DR..
Chaplin and Others. e' atN
The New York Typographical Society celebrated
the Iesth anniversary OF the birthday OF Benjamin
Franklin, at Turn Han, last night, ny literary,
musical and social entertainment, which afforded
much satisfaction and enjoyment to those In at
tendance. Shortly before eight O'Clock the hall
was well filed and alter some Introductory seiec-
tons by the orchestra the Rev. S. lreu@us Prime,
who presided, opened the proceedings. He said
that In calling ON him to take the chair at the an
niversary Of the great printer philosopher and
patriot they had recognized his relation to
the craft, and he thanked them heartily for the
honor. When the young printer Benjamin Frank
lin wished to take wife, as most young printers
did, he asked the mother OF Mary Read Tor her
daughters hand. But the prudent mother hesi-
tated togive her consent, as there were already
two other printers in Philadelphia, and she had
wholesome fear lest there would not be business
enough to support third. (Laughter.) The
printing business has increased somewhat since
that time The hand that was 80 diiiigent In our
art was the Same hand that drew the lightning
from the clouds Of heaven and signed the Declara-
ton OF Independence. Applause) Two years
ago the monument OF Franklin was inaugurated in
Printing House square, and it was unveiled to
mortal eyes by the hanu OF Morse. 1t was his last
public act He came from his bed to perform that
service and returned to 1t, whence in few short
weeks ne was borne to his grave. Yhe
names OF Franklin and Morse were now Identified
in American hlstorysand win foreverlbe associated
avoid the dangers from electricity, and Morse made
1t our obedient servant. The reverend gentleman
concluded by stating that the observance OF this
anniversary should never be neglected. 1t would
do them good to cherish the memory OF the illus
trious Franklin.
REMARKS OF WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
Mr. Bryant, on being introduced was warmly re-
celved. He SAID that the iilustrious printer and
journalist whose birth they concentrated was
often spoken OF with praise as acute observer of
nature and OF men, as philosopher. as an in
yentor, as an able negotator and as a statesman.
But in this latter respect the capacity OF states
man, he has not received all the praise whichis his
due, for ne saw further into the true province
and office OF Tree government and the dntles Of
Its legislators than any man OF his time. He saw
and pointed out the Jolly OF governing TOO much.
He saw that 1t Is not the business OF government
to do what can possibly be done by individuals.
He saw that what the government had to do was
to restrain its citizens rom invading each others
rights and compel them to respect each others
freedom. He therefore condemned the corn laws
the laws against the importation OF grain
hundred years before the people of Great Britain
became convinced of their folly and repealed them.
He held also that 1t was not the policy OF a State
TO Put any wa r e on paper 1es
lntermeddllng OF the government with that branch
OF commercial business could only lead to mischief.
Franklin saw also the wisdom and humanity
OF mitigating the caamities OF war by allowing
trading vessels to pass and repass unmOlested on
turned rom Europe in 1885 he negotiated a treaty
with Prussia which contained an article against
privateering Thus he anticipated by more
than half century the proposition which our
government since made to Great Britain. After
abiding to Franklin as o w.t. OF which he gave
several instances, Mr.. Bryant went on to say that
the philosopher was also poet, and referred to
his tract written on seeing a ny crawl out OF
mersed perhaps Tor years But the most remarkable
example OF his possession OF the poetic faculty was
given when, IN the year 1881, he sat in Conven
ton which framed the federal constitution As the
Convention finished It's labOrs the sun, emerging
from cloud, poured food OF radiance into the
aa hall where sss sns s ss a SSa Of GS kpo%
Ph9bus Apollo, the god OF poetry also, and the
source OF poetic inspiration. The aged philoso-
the inspiration, and in few well-chosen
words accepted and proclaimed the omen. "rhus,"
ne ss 0ss @ 10 our Re
will the smile OF Heaven be vouchsaed TO our com.
pleted labors and the sunshine Of prosperity rest
on our country" He hoped his words in all the
coming time wonid prove as prophetic as they
were poetical. Applause.J
MISS seaeer. an, eiocnent and mastery tribnte was
paid by the Rev. DIR. Chaplin to the great phiios-
opher: whom he characterized as the best repre-
man was followed by the Rev. DR.. Osgood, who
also referred to the greatness Of Franklin in
appropriate terms.
Mr.. W. GLAND Bourne read a poem entitled
"MOrse and Franklin which was received with
great favor. He was followed by Professor w. q.
Lyman, who recited 1.-THE Vagabond.n
At the conclusion OF the exercises the platform
was cleared and sketch representing scenes from
the life OF Franklin. written by John BrOugnam.
was performed by corps OF wen trained amateurs.
The scenes Included Market street, Philadelphia;
the interior OF Keimer's printing office, the home
OF Franklin, the council chamber In The palace OF
St James, and Others. The performance was very
well received.
The guests subsequently proceeded to supper.
where several tOasts were proposed, after which
the company adjourned to the hail, which was ar
ranged Tor s0ciaDle In which large number OF
the visitors participated. Altogether the pro-
gramme was admirably carried out, and the guests
separated at q late hour, well pleased with the
entertainment.