when the judge proclaims the murderer free, and he goes forth unpunished to clasp his bloody hands with theirs. Wherefore this? Because public opinion will not punish seduction as a crime. Yet the very instance cited had its origin in the demoralizing reading of the present day. To allow the Press to put forth such works as are daily being published, and refuse the aid of law for the punishment of crime resulting from such reading, is like prohibiting, by the statute, physicians from attempting the core of fever, and at the same time filling the land with large bodies of stagnant water, upon whose maleria fever rides with fearful speed.
Fellow Printers? let us put our hands to this work. We may do much to remedy the defect, if nor eventually wholly to remove it. But it is a work that requires time, days, weeks, months, years. Let us then be up and doing.
From Edwin Croswell, Esq., of the Albany Argus.
Albany, January 14, 1847.
Gentlemen:—I regret extremely that it is not in my power to accept your kind invitation for the Anniversary you so appropriately celebrate on the 18th inst.
The illustrious Sage and Patriot, whose birth you commorate, will ever command the homage of mankind. To the world, scarcely less than to our own country, his life was, from first to last, a benefaction, which the world has acknowledged by all the tokens which confer renown or express gratitude. We may say, with a slight paraphiate, that he was one
"Who, born for the Universe, ne'er narrow'd his mind.
Nor to Party gave up what was meant for Mankind."
But if all men, of every condition and pursuit, feel and appreciate his excellence, and his eminent example of Practical Good, how peculiarly may the Press, all Printers, and the World of Letters, do honor to his memory! he was, if you will allow the figure, a type of the great Art, which has so much contributed to the advancement of Knowledge, the spread of Christianity, the elevation of the Masses, and the progress of Freedom or Opinion, and the true principles of Government.
But I regret my inability to commune with you personally, and with the large number of intelligent Printers whom your festival will bring together, at this time particularly. It is an appropriate occasion to form or renew associations with our fellow- craftsmen, and to advance the general interests of the fraternity, by combining and directing its strength and intelligence to that object. In an age when invention, discovery and art are gaining some of their most brilliant triumphs, and when the application of a mighty agent to the transmission of intelligence, is producing not only wonders but revolutions in the destiny and labors of the press, it is wise to confer together, as often at least as the annual return of this festival. I do not venture upon particular suggestions at this time; for the practical skill and good judgment of those present, will afford the best guide to measures for the common well being of the craft, and for the promotion of interests that are closely identified with the public good—but the subject is one which you will no doubt regard as worthy of your consideration.
I venture to enclose a sentiment:
The city of Rochester: The pride of Western New York—the centre of a wide region, fertile in intellect, art, and the sources of wealth—fitly chosen for the annual commemoration of an event which gave to the world both the type and substance of their high qualities.
And with my best wishes for your prosperity, individually and collectively, subscribe myself,
With great respect,
Your fellow-citizen,
Edwin Croswell
To P. Canfield, Erastus Shepard, &c.
From Levi S. Backus, Esq., a Deaf Mute, and Editor and Proprietor of the Canajoharie Radii.
Fort Plain, N. Y. Jan. 13th, 1847.
Gentlemen:—Circumstances beyond my control have prevented an earlier attention to your kind communication in reference to the contemplated Festival in the city of Rochester, and I trust this may reach you in due time for the interesting and commendable object you have in view. It would, indeed, be a source of much pleasure to me to be present and participate with you in celebrating the "Anniversary of the birth-day of the Immortal Franklin." But, gentlemen, it does not perhaps occur to you that I am a Deaf Mute. The kind Providence which has lavished upon me many other blessings, has, for wise purposes I doubt not, withheld two of the senses which are requisite to a full appreciation and enjoyment of the many agreable things which will contribute to the joyousness of the occasion referred to. However, I shall be with you in heart and spirit; and am cheered by the anticipation of a rich-treat in the perusal of the reported proceedings of the Typographical Fraternity, who will congregate to commemorate the birth-day of one whose name needs no extraneous expletives or adjectives to qualify and adorn it; but sui genius, the name of Franklin will be borne down to future times in the hearts of admiring millions, as that of one who ever stood forth in the true nobility of nature, and courted no aid but a virtuous self denial, and the highest state of mental refinement.
Accept, gentlemen, my acknowledgments for your polite invitation, and excuse my unwillingness to tax the time and mar the pleasures of brethren of the Press who will be with you, by placing myself in a situation where I should require the tedious interpretations which would be necessary to even an imperfect appreciation of the pleasurable sayings and doings which will no doubt distinguish your Festival. Accept likewise my best wishes for the happiness of yourselves personally, end of those of the craft generally, who shall be with you at the approaching Anniversary.
Agreeable to your request, I communicate the following sentiment:
The Deaf-Mute—He hath ears but he hears not, tongue but he speaks not—like the type, his
