Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-16
The Mercantile Library Association.

4 Mercantile Library is subject which is
now, Tor the first time. presented for the con-
sideration of the citizens Of Washington, and
some steps having been taken toward the con-
| summation of that object it may not be umiss
| here to state how far We have progressed in
| the matter.
| Feeling with all the weight that could be
brought to bear upon the subject. the great
| necessity which there was for place of this
nature in our midst-where the young men of
| the city might have those comforts and con-
venences. which fortune or circumstances
had denied them individually, for menta! i'm
| proyement. few persons met together for he
purpose OF mutual assistance in the accom-
| pliShment of the object. Committees were
appointed for the purpose of drafting con-
| stltution selecting rooms and furnishing them
| i'll y suitable manner Officers of the associa-
ton We're elected, and the most valuable
papers OF the city. aud those of other cities
were most libcrally contributed and such
progress made as the time and limited means
| of those connected with it would allow
II Is subject of much regret that there has
never been established in this metropolis
library association of any kind, having for its
object the mental improvement of the Young
and rising portion If the community, which
has outliyed the first generous impulse which
prompted the movement or, if it has for time
seemed to flourish and be useful for the ac-
complisLincnt Of TIE object, it has soon shown
symptoms of decay, and finally gone down to
that Oblivion wherein has sunk many that have
preceded it
This remark We would not have it thought
is applicable TO our city alone, but is more ur
less the case with many more wealthy and
more capable OF sustaining library insti:u-
lions than this. We have, however, this fact
to bri ghtcn our prospects that whenever the
mercantile portion OF the community have put
their hands 10 the work. success has crowned
their cfI0lts. Clinton Hail OF New York-the
Franklin Institute Of hiladelphia-the Mcr-
camille Association of Baltimorc-Cincinnati
and ST. Louis are among the most fOurishing
in the whole Union, and proud monuments o-
the liherality Of the merchants Of those cities
through whose efforts and by whose cncour-
agcnient these Institutions have been reared
aud sustained, proving cOnclusiveIy that
where there is the will there is the way and
encourages Us with the hope that for the OF
ject which We wish your aid VIC shall meet
with the support and confidence OF a gencr-
Gus public.
To any enc who has taken the trouble to in
Nestigate the subject, it must be apparent that
our city contains fewer institutions for mental
improvement acccSSib bic 10 the ma jority OF the
younger portion OF the community. than anv
other place of the same extent and influence
in the country. There is scarcely city that
cannot point to its Lyccum. Historical SOcie-
ty. Public Library, and other institutions of a
similar nature, save our OWN; and the few that
we have are leigcd around with barriers
which to those who most need the benefits 10
be derived from them, are indeed insurnlount-
able.
The number of young Ren in the City of
Washington who are engaged in mercantile
and mechanical pursuits, is fraction over
fifteen hundred: the former are occupied with
the duties of their position generally fourteen
hours out cf the twenty-tour and never less
than twelve hours and the short time which
they can devote TO mental Improvement, is
the few hours from the closing of business
until the time when it becomes necessary that
they should seek repose and renew their eLer
gies for the labor Of another day; and while
it is an admitted fact, that among no class Of
men Is there greater amount OF industry
and application brought to the prosecution of
their several duties, the salary Of the majority
Of those occupying the position of clerks is So
sEiall, that they are barely enabled to live
upon it, without deyoting even a small amount
to the purpose which could be accomplished
by such an institution.
The hours of labor with mechanics. being
restricted by law and custom TO ten hours,
they have the time, but not the means or IA
cilities of making that use of their time which
they would do had they some place Of resort
where they would have the comforts and con-
veniences Of rooms properly arranged and
suited for the purpose.
From the plain statement OF facts which we
have endCavorcd to lay before you, you cannot
fail to appreciate the necessity which exists
tor the means OF Improvement of those who
are out Of the reach Of schools and of cduca-
ton from them.
The young men whom you are raising up in
your stores and workshops are destined to take
.tN,l,
part in the drama OF life. How necessary is
it, then, that they should be able to well ill the
places which you have so long and honorably
occupied. Give US, then, but small portion
of your abundance, and you shall see arise in
your midst the instrumentality by which it
will be done, and that they may become wise
and virtuous men.
1t is clearly the duty which we owe to our
selves, and one another, that We properly APP
prcciute the blessings which we enjoy, whether
i'll our public OF private relations by whatever
namo those relations may be called. Let us
remember that individual virtue and educa-
ton, can alone promote social happiness-and
that social happiness, and peace, form the
basis of political independence.
The claims of the institution will be pre-
sented to you in n few days in another form,
when 1t is hoped that it will receive that ma
terial aid which the claims of no worthy OBJ
lect has failed to receive at the hands of the
citizens If Washington.
[. THos. MITCHELL,
Z. j. STEER, Com tee.