Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-14
Ltbrartes.

There are several libraries in Washington, but
only one that we are aware Of which is accessible
to the body of the people. The Congressional
Library may be visited between the hours of nine
and three o'clock during the sessions of Congress-
and on certain days in the recess 1t is a noble
institution--or was before the fire. and will be
again in few years. 1t affords great facilities
for study to members of Congress and their
friends but it is of no sort of utility to the pub
lie at large. The hours of business, whether in
the public Offices or in private life, embrace the
hours during which the library is opened; and
their moments of leisure, in the early morning.
or in the afternoon and evening, are those in
which the library is closed.
The department libraries are intended exclu-
sively for the use of the Secretaries and their
clerks, and we believe that no others have any
privileges connected with them.
The only library, we believe, to which the pub
lie at large may have access is regarded as of SO
little consequence that its very existence is un-
known to the great body of the people. We al
lude to the Washington Library, situated on 18th
street, opposite Carusi's Saloon. We are aware
that we pay poor compliment to the literary
taste of the people of Washington by describing
the locality of the only public library in the city
as being opposite to dancing-han. But such is
the lamentable state of apathy which prevails in
the community as regards literature, that we
know of no reader way of coming at the matter.
people actuated by high and praiseworthy
ambition would rather be told that the dancing
saloon is situated opposite the library. But de
gusti6us non disputandum.
Our present object is to call attention to the
existence of the Washington Library, and to
suggest the importance Of concentrating the
efforts of the community for enlarging the sphere
of its utility. Already it contains about FIVE
thousand volumes, embracing many Of the most
valuable books in our language. Yet such is the
indifference of the community that these valuable
books are little used, and suffered to become, as
Jeremy Taylor would say, " the food Of moths"
and the portion Of mouldness."
Every citizen of Washington should be ambi-
tious Of holding stock in this institution. The
shares are only twelve dollars, which small sum
will confer upon the holder the perpetual use Of
library which none but the most wealthy can
afford to possess in their own right Shares may
be issued indefinitely as to number, and the whole
amount paid in for them will be Immediately and
judiciously invested in the purchase of books,
thereby increasing the extent, variety, and value
of the collection, as the sphere Of its influence is
widened.
Are the people Of Washington destitute Of pub
lie spirit? viii they do nothing Of themselves,
but look to Congress for everything? If they
would make the seat Of government permanent
in this city, they should endeavor to command
the respect Of the nation by aspiring to the char
acter of being the most intelligent, vrtuous, and
literary community in the country. The capi-
tails Of other nations are usually regarded as the
centres and fountains Of literature and science,
and the people Of Washington should be ambi-
tious of assuming that character for the capital
of the United States. Partial as we are to the
city in which we have fixed our abode, we can
not at present claim that honor for it, though il
is not beyond the pale of probability that it may
attain to it within the lifetime Of persons now OF
the stage of existence. We earnestly exhort oul
fellow-citizens to give their attention to this sub
ject If they expect to achieve the destiny which
the immortal Washington predicted for them
they must give renewed and earnest attention
TO their intellectual and moral improvement.