The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-12-15
AN ADDRESS,
MEMS OF
PERRYsBURG, Nov %, 1855,
BY JESSE s. NORTON, ESQ.

Having been elected your president for the ensuing erm
appear before you this OCCASION gentlemen for the perform
of duty which is new and foreign from my habits
of thought that can scarcely hope for credtabe execution
of the But have permitted reflections of this kind
deter from manifesng my immediate attention what
believe to be duty and to signify my approval of the
Objects and my convictions of the utility of this association
say that feel highly grafed by this mark of your
favor and confidence although be ignorant of the
duties and responsibilities which imposes upon me trust
however, you will always find ready respond every
call of duty whether in present capacity any other and
to manifest prompt attention to whatever may be supposed
be power promote the respecablity and further
the designs" of this association.
The constitution under which present organized
declares the objects of the association be- the practical inn
and Intellectual advancement of its members The
question would then naturally arise how these objects to
be attaned By the pursuit OF useful knowledge the great
of happiness and usefulness Bat in order do this
must have booksa library and this it should be Of
principal aims to establish, permanent basis and
round and protect by such rules and regulations shall secure
the books from being muated or destroyed The young gen
emen who founded this association nearly year ago. have
collected few books by donation and purchase winch 10
them much credit and will serve nucleus around which
recorded wisdom of the world They have overcome
difficulties and surmounted many Obstacles and are now
beginning to reap some reward for their labor Their
membership has increased rapidly within short time, and
they have the fond satisfaction of knowing that their e
forts appreciated by best class of citizens We
called upon do something to perpeuae this associa
ton; endear it to the people, to make it permanent
ganzaon and to place its privileges and benefits within the
reach of all who wise enough seek and take advantage
of them.
The growing youth of who have acquired may
hereafter acquire appetite for knowledge taste for reading
should have choice selection of books 60 and draw
from, that they may become intelligent useful and we'll in
formed We know not how many may be saved from dss
patton, dleness and ruin by proper influence which may
be brought to bear upon them through the medium of good
books. Ideness is said to be the parent of vice. How
young have grown deness and have been ruined
tor the of taste for reading and the OF crafty
ing it. Few have the advantages of large private libraries
especially in place like this and it is only by forming
Citations like that partially mitigate the evils and
bestow the privileges blessings and benefits upon all who seek
them
have stated the object Of the association to be- the prac
cal improvement and intellectual advancement of its members
and have pointed the first steps be taken toward OBJ
tanning it for reading and acquiring useful knowledge
and the of gratifying by choice selection of books
understand the plan of the association takes within Its
all branches of sound and useful knowledge to be treated in
such order may be deemed desirable by the members
and with such variety and ness of detail the convenience
of the lecturers may suggest 1t would necessary at the
beginning of address before society like this make the
inquiry why have formed this association and for what
purpose do weekly? For the cultivation of fac
utes and the improvement of minds by the pursuit of
knowledge Every duty to his family, his neigh
Dor and himself and whom he morally bound for the
performance of -Firs, to his family he is the acknowl
edged head-the law makes him suclthe to whom the
wife and children look for advice and support the wife through
e and the children until they arrive years of discretion
1t is his duty inform his mind by every in his power
that he may be loved and respected by hem and be able to
counsel and advise them ntegeny and place before them
good example, of which they need not be ashamed To
his neghbor by being we'll informed industrious and good
ady