CORRESPONDENCE.
His Honor, the Mayor of Rochester, sent in the following note in reply to an invitation to participate in the festivities of the occasion:
From Hon. William Pitkin, Esq.. Mayor of Rochester.
Rochester, Jan. 18th, 1847.
Gentlemen—Your kind note of invitation to the "Franklin Birth-day Festival" was received with much gratification; and although precluded from joining in your festivities on this occasion, I sympathise most cordially in your respect for the memory of that distinguished Philanthropist and benefactor of mankind.
In political history, our country will ever boast of Washington and of Franklin, and you may well exult that one of those illustrious names stands enrolled in the catologue of your "crafty" fraternity.
Permit me respectfully to offer the following:
The Craft—May they render due honor to the maxims associated with the name of {sc|Franklin}}, by issuing a new edition of clear proof that they are fonts only of virtuous intelligence, and of moral and political truth; then shall the imposing stone furnish a corrected impression upon the sheet of public sentiment, and register there a point of admiration!
I am, gentlemen,
Yours, with every respect,
William Pitkin.
To Wm. S. Falls, Esq., and others, Committee of Arrangements.
The following Letters and Sentiments were received from the Craft abroad:
From James Harper, Esq., Ex-Mayor of New York.
No. 52 Cliff street,
New York, Jan. 7, 1847.
Gentlemen:—It was with a lively sense of pleasure that I received your invitation to be present at the Festival of the Printers in Rochester, celebrating the anniversary of Franklin's birth-day, on the 18th inst. It is a gratifying honor to be remembered on such an occasion by a body of men so intelligent and so useful, and I find also a personal gratification in the reminiscence that, if I am not deceived, I worked in the same office with the worthy Chairman of your committee, some thirty years ago. If my arrangements permitted, I would gladly be with you in the body, as I surely will be in the spirit; for I love the craft, and, like all true sons of the craft, I honor and reverence the memory of him in whose name you invite me to be present.
This honor and this reverence, gentlemen, has dwelt in my mind from my earliest boyhood.—One of the first books I ever read—how well do I remember its worn-out type and coarse whity-brown paper—was a Life of Franklin; it was, in admiration of his character, that, before I had ever seen a printing press, my boyish determination to become a Printer had its origin; and for the measure of success that has attended my labor I am greatly indebted to the maxims of "Poor Richard." All must appreciate the lofty fame of Franklin—the Statesman and Philosopher—but we, gentlemen, can do more than this; there is a warmer, a more genial feeling in our hearts, when we proudly recall the name of Franklin, the Printer.
I beg leave to propose the following as a sentiment for recognition in your festivity:
The noble Craft of Franklin: With a child's toy he gathered fire from the clouds; but his mighty engine of the Press spreads abroad the fire and light of truth, dispersing the clouds of ignorance and error.
With the highest respect,
I remain yours, truly,
James Harper.
To P. Canfield, &c., Committee.
From Samuel Bowles, Esq., Editor and Proprietor of the
Springfield Gazette.
Springfield, Mass., Dec. 2, 1846.
To the Committee of Correspondence for the celebration of Franklin's Birth-day, at Rochester.
Gentlemen:—It would give me great pleasure to accept your kind invitation, and attend the celebration of the anniversary of the Birth-day of Benjamin Franklin, if circumstances should permit; but if I am not with you in person, I shall be with you in spirit. I should much enjoy an interview with so many of my fellow craft; with some of whom I am personally acquainted. The Chairman of your Committee is an esteemed friend, with whom I worked at press in early life, and in whose company I have spent many instructive and happy hours.
Nothing can be more appropriate than a Printers' celebration of Franklin's Birth-day. Though most of his life was spent in the public service, in eminent and highly responsible stations; though distinguished as a Patriot, Philosopher, and a man of Science, he never lost his first love for the Typographic Art: and to his latest day, showed that he enjoyed the sight and operations of a Printing Office. Till near the close of his life, he was a patron of the Art. He was indeed a paragon in our profession, and we cannot find a better model. It is as a Printer and Editor that I revere the character of Franklin, as much as in any other portion of his life. In that capacity he loved as well to guide the rays of mind, as he did afterwards, when a Philosopher, to guide the rays of lightning.
Yon have done well and deserve the thanks of the Typographic Brethren, for arranging a cele-
