Democratic banner., 1847-02-01
CALUMET.
TFoR THE BANNER.1

Nj. Edilor: From tie tone and spirit
of an article, published some weeks since
in your paper, on the subject of a Circul,-
ting Library, and other kindred institutions
in our town, | supposed and had hoped
there was some interest felt on such sui
!jects, and that, before this time, some ac-
Ition would have been had. But as vet,
nothing has been done, so far as | have
heard.
1t has been said that Tie present, is pre-
e%minently a reading age: and so far as the
fashionable light Literature of the day, is
concerned. it is certainly true that We arc
a reading people. Blu! with all our present
facilities for acquiring knowledge, in The
shape of cheap publications, both of news
papers, and works of science, it may we'll
be doubted whether there is as much Of sci
'ence and substantial, practical knowledge
inculcatcd now, as there was, twenty-five
or thirty years ago. Especially if all the
circumstances and comparative facilities
be taken into the account. We arc too
apt to flatter ourselves into the belief, that
we are a learned and intelligent people, be-
cause Of the vast machinery set in motion
for the purpose Of catering 10 the rublic
taste; when IN truth, a very large proper
ton Of the material thus produced for pub
lie consumption, is, to say the least of it, of
but doubtful character, and much Of it, is
acknowledged to be decidedly pernicOus.
1t may be asked, what has all this TO do
with the Library? The principal, perhaps
the only use, to be made of it at present,
is to account for the apathy and indlfeI-
cnce manifested eli the subject of Tie Ii
blary. We have, probably. been too much
.absolvcd in the mere business atfdirs of the
day, or, to pursue the idea above suggested,
we have been too easily satisfied with he
fashionable ~tictions Of the day, to give our
selves the trouble of providing more sub
stantlal food Tor eur OWL minds, and those
of the youth Of our town.
The plan, suggested by your correspond
ent of commencing Library, may be OBJ
lected to, on the ground that all books thus
furnished would be old and worn. And
though the objection might be good 10 a Ger
tam extent, yet, would it not be better to
have u well selected Library of good mat
ter, even in indifferent bindings than none
at all? Another reason in favor of the plan.
is, that the chief difficulty in all undertak-
ings of the kind, is to make a b~eginnins.
with as little cost as possible. This plsn
would not be attended with anu present
cash: and it would form a nucleus aronnJ
which d respectable Library mioht he buI;t
up hereafter in such a manner that Il wonJS
scarcely be felt. '""
Few, if any, will dispute the necessity or
of this matter; and iftLese hsstx
lnd Ill dlgested remarks shall be so FORUM.
,te as to have the effect in some degree. 70
efficient action on the su6;eci
hall be amply compensated. -
STATE PENITENTIARY.-TLe mint
Omnlttee on the penitentiary re Commended
nat the same be enlarged and that the
onvicts now employed in the mechanical
Fades be employed in the manufacture Of
'bacoo. The Committee remark: "To
eeP a large number of ~conviots engaged
inc mechanical trades brings them into
competition with the ordinary useful
echanics of the country, and tends to de-
taoe and inlure those necessary branches
business, by introducing into the SAINT a
rye numbel of degraded and dishonest
'rsons. This should be avoided as far a.