Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-21
ALEXANDRIA, d.. CO.
FRIDAY MORNING., SEPT 2i. 1882.

.aieraadria Library.-We would invite the
attention Of our feiIow.citizens tothe following
relative to the present situation
Of the Alexandria LibrarJ--an institution, in the
prosperity of which we feel much interested, and
the claims Of which the patronage OF the public
are here forcibly presented.
Some months since, Mr. Editor, do not re.
collect the precise time. nor to my present pur-
pose is it at all important-some months since'
was not little grati6ed in the Perusai OF some
remarks Of yours on the subject Of more general
attention to Books. I was gratiied, because
they were both striking aud judicious; and, hav'
ing bearing peculiarly appropriate on the citI.
reached, were greatly needed. We ought, most
unquesdonabIy, to be much more Of reading
public. The ase in which we live, together With
the constantly multiplying sources of knowledge
aud improvement, which are daily opening on
almost every subject Of science and usefulness,-
unless, indeed, we adopt the sentiment. for our.
selves and our children, that Ignorance is
bliss, ''-seem imperiously to demand It Of US.
And could each one be made to feel more lively
and adding interest in those useful institutions
which already exist among MS, and which have
been established for the very purpose, both Of fas.
tering and gratifying tast: for reading. the
great and desirable object would, no doubt, he
very speedily accomplished.
have now a special reference to our Town
Library-an institution which was once patron
lied to an extent commensurate with its impor.
lance, but which is now scarcely able to main
tain successful struggle even for existence. -
Why this should be the case, 10 not only sub.
ject involved in mystery. but, to such a. have
regard for the literary character Of the town, and
the general weIl.beins Of its citizens. one Of deep
and permanent regret. Tits mysterious, because,
independently of its greatly enhanced value.
growing out Of the fact that its shelves are perpe-
tuaIly enriching with all the varieties Of useful
and important publications daily issuing from the
press, The price having been reduced to Ave dol.
lars per share, has rendered Its benefits avail
able to the poorest and humblest Of our citizens.
And it is a subject Of regret, because Of the me-
lanchoIy intimation which it seems to throw out,
that Books are not thought as much Of as they
once were, and that Z" much reading is too great
WEAKNESS 10 the flesh"
This state Of things ought not, amid such po-
puIation as ours, most assuredly, to exist any
longer 1t is reflection, alike. upon the taste,
the literary character, and the public spirit Of the
town; and every head Of family, at least, ought
to feel himself interested in having the reproach
wiped away. There is no man, however severe
his professional avocations' who has not at CON-
a,aud some unoccupled moments: moments which
might be filled up to great advantage, IN the cul'
tiyaton of rational taste for books; storing the
intellect with useful knowledge; and in endea.
vorins to keep up with the rapid Developments OF
literature and science which are so striklngly
charac teristic of the age in which we live. Our
Library furnishes all that will be wanted Tor this
purpose: and would again repeat, that, Tor our
own sakes, for the sake Of our children, and for
the sake Of our. literary reputation, that richly
furnished establishment ought not to languish
longer through default Of more general patronage.
alexandria, September 90. ZETA.
Extract Of q letter from highly respectable
and intelligent gentleman, in lower Virginia. to
his friend in this place, dated Sept. Is, 1882.
81 cannot close my letter without saying
word or two about politics. This is, indeed, a
very important crisis. To relax, is 10 give en-.
enlargement 10 our opponents, and will prove
the sure precursor Of our defeat. We have eve.
~ thing to animate and to stimulate Us. Our
cause is good cause-a just Cause holy
cause. 1t is the cause Of our Country-our Con.
stitution, and of civil and political liberty. II
is the cause Of purity, virtue, and wisdom, strug
Cling against corruption. vice. and ignorance. In
fine, il is the cause of freedom-our own and
our chiIdren's freedom, naked and .unarmed,
contendiug with tyranny. panoplied in the ar.
NOR Of government patronage aud power. Ma.
ked and unar,ned! did sayl No! it is trebIy
armed-armed with justice, honesty and truth
armed with the Constitution and with the rights
and liberties Of free citizens Of free Republic:
ssThrice in he armed who hath his quarrel lust,