Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-11-10
PUBLIC MEETING.

low, were III Soou TASTE anu nne Splrll. Inc OIL
fetal proceedings are worthy Of an attentive De
rual:
PUBLIC MEETING.
In pursuance Of an invitation from the Mayor
at The request of various gentlemen, meeting
of the citizens Of Richmond was held in the
room Of the Virginia Historical Society, Thurs
day evening, November ID, 1918, 10 meet Mon
sieur Vattemarc, in crdcr to respond, on the
part Of the city, to his scheme Of International
Literary Exchanges.
The Mayor, BY request took the Chair; and,
on motion, Thomas II. Ellis acted as Secretary.
Monsieur Vattemarc being introduced by The
Mayor and invited to address the meeting OK
planned, in an interesting manner, his efforts
and success in the excellent scheme in which he
has been engaged since the year 1923.
His Excellency, Governor Smith, then took
part in the proceedings. lie said that it was
not his intention to submit any remarks IN sup.
port of the policy of International Exchanges.
but 10 supply some facts which had been omit
ted, in the hurry Of the moment, by our cn!hu.
siastic friend and philanthropst, a. vatiemar;ee,
modcsty, no doubt, had induced him, altogether,
to omit. Governor Smith said that his own
knowledge of this subject was, of course, de.
rived from others, and if he should misstate any
thing, he trusted that he should be set right BY
the gentleman who has the whole merit Of this
interesting enterprise.
AS far back as the year 1923, Mr.. Vattemarc,
finding many valuable works in the Libraries of
his own country defective, commenced an eXa-
mination, to sec whether these important def
cicncics could not be supplied. The result was,
that he found in other libraries, in very many
cases, duplicates of the desired volumes, which
were wholly useless TO those libraries, and by
which he was enabled to complete the works
thus found drtic!ent. From this idea sprang the
design of international exchanges. He felt AID
knew, that vast amount OF scientific and So
cial good could be effected, and he set TO work
in the prosecution Of his design, with bcncvo-
lent enthusiasm, that has not wcarici 10 this
day. For some years his operations were con-
fined to the nations Of Europe, the Emperor Of
Russia being his first great patron, and it was
not until after the repeated suggestions of the
great and good. Lafayette tina! he was induced to
extend his design to this hemisphere. About
nine years ago Mr.. Vattemare made US his frs;
visit, bringing with him rich and valuable
collection of books, prints, &c., for this coun
try. This visit was highly suspicious in its re-
suits The public mind was awakened 10 the
Importance of the subject, and preliminary ar
engagements made TO carry out this design. After
two years and halt spen' in this country. at
sorbed in The prosecution OF this purpose, he Ie.
turned to his own country, but, finding that hi,
plans fingered, he returned 10 Inc United Stale:
| more than twelve mouths ago, TO give new in
| pulse u his noble design. MIR. Valtcmale ha'
| od YOU gentlemen, what success has attended
his efforts. His visit has been recognized as Z
| mission; his design has been approved by TIT
10 ~. Clio and Il nfi n,
individual States an agency has been es'ablishe.
to effectively carry out The system OF international
exchanges; money has been appropriated 10 sns
| lain il; thousands OF volumes have been donated
| and this enthusiast philanlhropist and cdsmoPo
| lite has been designated as the agent TO preside
! over and conduct this great scheme Of happiness
| improvement, and pachcalon OF mankind.
| should be stated, gentlemen, that for twety year
this scheme, SO happily adapted 10 hunanisc on
| race, has been wholly sustained BY The indl"idua
effort and Private means Of this friend OF his kind
| lie has materially impaired his private fortune
he has sacrificed 10 great and painful extent n
| endearmsnis Of home, sustained alone by stron;
and thorough conviction of The great and impor
taut value OF his services, and now asks iron
those whom he has so extensively benefited on!
| that they shall defray the mere expenses OF car
rying on This great work.
| Governor Smith said he would mention an IN
ciden. illustrative Of The disntefesled and scrnpu
lous character OF our distinguished friend sea
| of camel coal, mounted with gold, had been sen
him t,he Governor) from he county nl Kauaw
This he presented TO Mr.. Vauemare. |, was Q
| but little value and was only designed asa sample
OF mineral existing in large quantities in Iha
county, and 10 show The exquisite polish OF whiSh
was susceptible. He begged 10 he excused lor de
clining it's acceptance stating that he had pre-
| zE rt1 .rpp :
| preseni; but that, il Governor Smith would pre-
sen, il 10 The civ OF Paris, with noic, he wou'
be mos, happy to receive it. And here We SEE ;
man Of high intelligence, bound By the most in
teresing domestic re atoms, devoting the prim
of his life, and his fortune, 10 carry on, his de
sisn-receiviDg nothing, asking nothing, but tn
approval OF his own conscience, and OF the ludg
mcnt Of mankind. Truly, coming in so inter
esing and disincrested shape, did we doubt nj
scheme, he would win Us 10 its support. Ba
there is no objection 10 il-not ono. II is one q
those measures which originated in heart over
flowing with the milk OF human kindness, an
which is active in all It's aspects in doing good
As has been simply, yel truly said by Mr.. Vanc
mare, the man who presents even a glass oil Wa
Ter TO another, with smiling face, and IN sp'
rit OF kindness, wins favor: so This system OF 10
ternational exchanges must produce an intel
change of good feelings amongst The nations
the earth. Heretofore, the system has depende
upon the life OF the originator, but il is hops
ths, he has succeeded in establishing il 50 firmly
that it may survive him, ii he should be take
from us; an event which we all should from ou
hearts dcplore, and which we trust may be pos
poned for many, many years.
The Aauerirg notice taken BY Mr.. Waterman
OF our country, and of Virginia especially, civ,
him just claim TO orr acknowledgements. w
think that it would be difficult for such ph'lal
,hropis, 10 knew our institutions and our Peep