The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-13


Hon. j. H. Gallinger nent, we assemble TO
dedicate this beautiful home.
AS an Illustration OF the changed condi-
ton of things it may be remarked that, after
q desperate struggle to make his art produc-
tive of even the bare necessities of life, John
Gutenberg, the inventor OF the art OF print
ing with movable types, died IN poverty and
neglect in February, 1863 His genius
brought forth the discovery which reVOlu-
toniZed the world, threw the light Of intel
ligence upon its dark Ignorance and super
sttiOn and Rindled in man new and better
aspirations But he was harassed with yeX-
atiOus litigation, cramped by poverty. and
in the decline of life. when men look for re-
taxation from labor, he was deprived of his
outfit by his partner, Faust, and compelled
TO equip himself anew with the crude hand
made materials of his craft His trials, his
disappointments and his sufferings have
been the common heritage Of greatin VentOrs.
There must be in printers ink an inspi-
ration TO generosity and even prodigality,
so few Of the craft ever become rich. That
fellow-feelng that makes all the world akin
glOws ever in the heart OF the printer, OPEN
ing his purse to the needy and his soul to
the suffering. His couch is freely shared
with a homeless craftsman, his case is at
the service Of the wanderer. and his last
ration is fairly divided with the one who
knows not where TO get his daily bread.
Nor is his bounty or his charity circum-
everywhere as printer? Who so quickly
touched by the appeal Of the afflicted?
Thrift may not be one Of his Virtues,
but nggardliness Is not one Of his fail
ings. His it is to share generously with
others. He has no isolated pleasures.
Yet the world is the better for his coming.
He has scattered smiles of gladness along
its pathway. he has illumlned its night.
BE has brushed away the tears from some
faces even If they have stolen silently down
ids own. He has lifted here and there
cloud, that sunshine might penetrate a sad
dened heart. And when at eventide we
measure his life's work, and set off against
his failngs his many kindly acts, we fnd
that he has earned home, even if he has
not made one.
The printers case has been, and still Is, a
stepping-stone to positions of honor and
trust. From 1t have sprung statesmen,
philosophers, writers, thinkers, scholars,
patriots and philanthrOpists. 1t has made
itself felt in business affairs, in statecraft
and in diplomacy through its grad
uates. They have moved the world
at home aud they have not been
without their Influence abroad The
Frauklins, the Greeleys and the Plumbs
have abounded in the history of our coun-
try. SuTpass them, IL you can, in the prod
net of your universities and in the over
flow of your colleges. Self-made men all OF
them. whose ambition was first fired at the
SaSO no euCy sob III 1fpo luO enOuSntS VI
others. What blows they dealt in con-
troversyi What strength shey had What
force Of expressionl What sturdy adher-
ence to principle! Nothing appalled, them.
The ChildsDrexel Home for Aged Print
ers, beneath whose hOspitable roof we are
to-day, is one of the n0blest Of modern
charities. If one more familiar than | with
the inception and progress of this great en-
terprise had not been selected to speak of
that theme, would gladly do so myself
only to speak in a general way Of those
under whose guiding hand this me-
mortal has been reared. First, let us
pay a brief word of tribute to the Union
printers. who so literally contributed of
their comparatively small means to the
fund that at length became sufficient for
the purposes of the enterprise. The con-
tribution OF each was small, but the aggre-
gate made 1t possible for the larger con-
tributiOnS TO become available, and thus
bility. Had not the printers came to the
rescue, each one casting in his mite.
very likely what Is now an accomplished
them, more than to any other instru-
mentality, belongs the honor in which we
all share to-day.
Bat we have other and individual bene-
factors to be remembered in connection
with this work. Mr.. Anthony Joseph
Drexel and Mr.. George w. Childs, both OF
Philadelphia, originated the idea OF this
home, ana large contributions from them
laid the foundation of its success. They
are beneiactors In the truest sense, their