The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1851-02-18
for he RepaA loan.

FRIEND LEArHERNAN In a late nu'hbe
ofthe Woodville Republican, was pleased
90 see the attention OF the good people o
Woodyille called to the proprety OF recelv
inc the old Lyceum-an institution that o
ire KIM and character had been in operation
lonoer and more efficiently than any slmi.a
one in the SoutL-West'
A brief reference I'd It's easy conception
II. d;AcnIt birth. and still more struggling
efforts to acquire a respectable standing in
she literary world, might perhaps be un.
known to many, and interesting to all. Ii
mioht stimulate those of its original foun.
6ers who still survive, to assist4he intelli
gent Young men of Wilkinson to resusc4tate
this excellent institution. No charge 81
suspicion of want of enterprise, toast or tai
lent can be attributed to any, for its tempo
iEary suspension. The violent and fatal ev-
idence of 1874, carried with it some of her
most worthy and able members. Circum-
stances beyond human control has scattered
other members of this association and but
few of the old members remain to tell its
history. Pestilence emigration and ingress
has strangely charged Woodville still some
remain, to whom we look for reward of
this honored institution that commenced in
the year 1888, under circumstances the
most humiliating and discouraging.
Subsequent to an article written for the Re-
publican, by your humble servant upon the
utility of the formation of a Lyceum for the
purpose of mutual improvement and general
intelligence. A notice was inserted in the
Woodville Republican-calling a meeting
of these citizens favorable to its formation
to assemble at the Courthouse at a time its
early minutes will show. Your confident
TtmothY at the time appointed, rang the
bell, to rattle up and concentrate literary en-
thusiasm. The result of this systematic
convocation of savaIls, was the immense as
semblage of three iHdiUiduatS # The meet
ing was organized, composed Of a President,
Vice President and Secretary, with a com
mittee EMU ~delinquents, who supposed the
ringing of the Court-house-bel could call no
others but 6row-beaten debtors.
The constitution and bylaws having been
framed, presented and adopted-lectnrer and
essayist appointed for the ensuing monthly
meeting, and notice of the same appeared
an the Republican. This movement was
very ungenerously stigmatized by most of
those who should have been its supporters
as a "yankee notion" and sneers, ieers.
and rldlcule were the only encouragement
1t received. Others look upon il with as
much indifference as an Owl gazes on the
sun; but the experiment was to be tried.
The Methodist Church having been engag-
ed for che first meeting, the Gathering of
the church bell called all to the literary re-
past. The speakers were honored for the
first time with an audience of twelve hu-
man beings.
With this dwarfish encouragement tbouch
very discouraging to the members, persever-
ance was the watchword, and so long as an
appeal to the literary taste and intelligence
OF the people failed an appeal was made to
their preJudices, and the Lyceum at its uext
meeting was addressed by their selected lec-
turer Rev. VIM Winans, who held a hiqh
seat III the hearts and affections of a host of
followers. The unbounded popularity Of
this distinguished and revered man increased
the number to fifty only, a weak apology in
number for a small prayer meeting.
lime rolled on, and still the Lyceum con-
Vened mouthly with their usual exercises,
and at the end of n year there motions
seemed to be understood, and the general
utility OF the institution acknowledged by g
full house. There have been causes sufi-
Gent probably to cause a temporary suspen-
sion; n0W is the time fo- the zeal-the en-
terprlslng and persevering spirit of the young
men OF Woodville to act in this matter.
awake and shake your drybones and resus-
'citate,the old Lyoeum. Improve yourselves
and make the people glad.
TIMOTHY.
ID C. s.. Magoun, DR.. W. Stockbridge,
and John w. Burruss, Esqrs.