The Portland daily press., 1882-03-06

events for the columns Of the newspaper, have
given to the newspaper business the vigorous
impetus to which we have already alluded, and
especially in this country, where freedom OF
speech and of action furnishes conditions in
dispensble to its rapid advancement.
During the past ten years the daily papers or
this country have increased 20 per cent in num-
ber and more than million copies in aggre-
gate circulation; while taking the whole class
OF periodicals, daily, weekly, monthly, quarter
ly. SC, the increase has been 9f per cent in
number and 90 per cent in aggregate circula-
tion-the increase of population for the period
being but 30 per cent-the aggregate circula-
ton equalling at the rate OF one journal as Of
ten, at least, ss once week for every person
of reading age in our country; and for which
was paid an aggregate sum equal to more than
a dollar and half for every man, woman and
child of our whole population.
The world does not furnish-it has never
furnshed-a parallel to the diffusion and 10
calization of the newspaper in this country, as
shown by our last census returns. And it's
apparently but the beginning. 1t is but %
years since this new life and growth began;
and during the last ten years OF this period the
increase in the number of the daily and weekly
journals is more than double the increase Tor
the previous twenty years, bearing with 1t also
over nine millions Of increase in aggregate
circulation, being greater increase of circula-
tion than for the two preceding decades.
II dications point to continued rapid pro-
more and more an important factor in educa-
tion and the moulding of public sentiment; OF
course also, correspondingly augmeating the
importance and responsibility of its mission.
The newspaper press. may, and Thought, to be-
come the light of the world--the foe, the terror
of all who seek darkness rather than light, be-
cause their deeds are evil
And in the mental upheaval, scientific, theo-
logic, social and political, for which our
time is distinguished, it should through. free.
fearless, independent discussion, seek to
steady the current drift OF thought and hold IL
loyal to truth, abiding in the conviction, con-
fidently expressed by Jefferson three genera
tions agone, that error cannot prevail in the end
when truth is left free to combat it.
1t should aim to check the wild vagarieS
that would dethrone the Creator and install in
his place the doctrine of chances-that symbol
of uncertainty, confusion and unbelief. 1t
should expose the weakness and Selt-deceptlon
that can doubt the existence of those immuta-
BILE laws which for ages on ages have unerring-
ly upheld the infinite fabric of the universe,
have maintained undisturbed the ceaseless
"harmony of the spheres" have governed all
nature from the smallest plant to the largest
world.
It should expose and combat the unreason-
ing credulity and inconsistency that can accept,
as we all do accept, the indestructibility or
immortality of even the lowest grade OF inani-
mate matter, and yet doubts and refuses to
DolleV6 IN Jl6
of the conscious, intelligent, rational soul, the
noblest, the most wondrous work OF creative
power.
The press should labor to cast down these
pernicious vagaries and to.uphold truth because
the community without fajth-ltke the lndi-
vidual,-is without stability of character,
without trust, without the most efficient mo-
tive and inspiration to blameless life and en-
nobling deeds.
The Ladies-Whatever other masculine depart
ment the fair may be untitled for by nature, or
excluded from by custom, their presence here to-
night demonstrates that they can and do achieve
most glorious success as ''Bears."
Responded to by Judge Enoch Knight.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
animal whose name we bear has language
well known to him who is skilled in woodcraft.
1t is the scoring of his size and power OF reach,
upon the smooth bark of trees, by hieoglyphics
inscribed with his teeth, when stretching him
self at full length. / have thought with what
true instinct and with what success this branch
of the family has scored its record with the
teeth tonight.
have recalled another fact; which also be-
longs somewhere In the domain of natural his
tory. 1t is the custom which has always OBJ
tanned, and is rendered very emphatic and con-
spicuous on this occasion, that not only puts
the task of replying to this toast upon the most
youthful, but also upon the most retirlng and
bashful man of the party-to whom, indeed,
the very presence OF women brings more or
less embarrassment.
1t is one of the good old customs to toast the
ladies at all feasts. 1t began even when they
were expected to leave the table before the
noisier demonstrations, and, indeed, De1ore
they were permitted to be present at all. In
the old days the tOasts brought out very rude
and extravagant, though honest, protestatioE OF
devotions from their champions, but the tone
of these occasions has undergone curious and
remarkable change. In fact there can hardly
be better illustration of the refining and en-
oll 81 fHn LOTT hQ0rQ fhA
world than in the changed spirit in which her
praises are celebrated. She no longer depends
upon the absurd championship of the knight
errant, the grotesque praises OF the mlnstreli
courtier, or the soulless promises of the profes
sional politician. But by very force
of her admitted rights and poweis
she is supplementing her home and family life
by achievements on every field of human en-
deavor; and is settling the woman question,
once and forever, by settling herself into the
worlds work, without challenge, and without
criticism. And as that man who loves pure
woman will likely live pure life, so that COM
munity which welcomes the ministratlon OF re-
fined and cultivated women andassimilates the
benefcence to its needs will he enriched and
ennobled thereby.
1 speak in sober strain tonight, in memo
ry of the brave and patient women you and L
have known in the hillside homes OF our ma
tiyity; homes from which CLEAN out the lights
tonight as in the old days; households presid-
ed over by mothers-some of whom are still
spared to us, the last of strong race-who
were plain and frugal, yet abouDding in hospi-
tality, who were provincial only in that they
were provident and patriotic; whose lives were
dedicated to domestic duty: who had the
warmth of earthly hopes in their hearts, and
the light of heaven in their eyes,
With what pride and with what faith should
the children of such homes, the sons OF such
mothers enter upon the duties and the oppor-
tunities of life; may we who have made our
homes along the highway of the sea, bring
hopeful, helpful spirits that can be traced in
the great current of its life and business-as
the stream that sled from the undying springs
amongst the hills pushes its clean and powerful
current far out into the tide, in token that it Is
mountain-born.