Smyrna times., 1855-08-01
The Read Nothings.

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sensible article upon certain class of persons
styled "The Read Nothings," which may be
endorsed by every discerning mind. The editor
says:
There is throughout this country, as through
most others, d very numerous and highly inhu-7
ential party, which is destined to work wonders,
not only at the coming election, but at great
many coming elections, and not only on eec-
tions but on may other phases of national life.
This numerous party may be termed the |
Read Nothings, and their platform is plain and |
lie, as it merely amounts in a greater or
lesser degree, to ignoring the existence of oil
Typography in every form. 1t is from this Or
der that penitentaries are stocked, jails filled,
engine-houses crowded with brutal loafers, and
the anti prohibition ranks enlarged. It is
among the Read Nothings that apathy and in
difference to every public duty is cultivated, for
it is only by reading that man at the present
day can hope to be au courGnt or "posted up"
on the questions which are daily becoming OF
more and more importance, and which to ne
glecl will be like neglecting the most SACRED
obligations.
1t may be objected that we have made mere
ignorance OF the art of reading, or its neglect,
a too decided source of evil. But is it not so |!
We do not deny that there are leglons of we'll
behaved, honest, industrious beings, who plod
and vegetate onward without ever reading, and
who in no wise belong TO the classes above al
luded to. But it is equally true that if Il young
man is to be kept from mischief, from vulgar
associates, and above all if it be hoped to form
for him rising mind which will some day give
him social distinction, it cannot be done more
effectually than by cultivating in him a taste
: for reading.
: What is man at the present day who does
e not read the newspapers Is he not an ilnbe
e cile at the mercy of every one who chooses t,
: give him an opinion or to warp his mind! j
!. he not a social nonentity, and when, as occa
sionally happens, he is a man of wealth, or will
Q family, is he not-we ask in sober calmnes
a drawback, dead weight and anomaly!
: And yet we have met with educated mel
who would tell you with calm, simple smil
that they neUer read the papers, or that the
had no taste for reading at all, and this with a
cool an air as if they were mentioning that the
J. had no taste for olives or tomato.,s. In ou
II humble opinion no man has right to have n
1r taste for readIng--it is duty which he eve
IS to himself and to those who educated him, an
to the country which requires certain mediul
e. Of mental ability from every one living IN it,
te There variety OF the Read Nothings wh
I" think that ii they do read they are quite rigl
4d IN being as one-slded 0s ;hey please in the
IL literary pursuits. One of these Oh being que
III toned in our hearing as 20 what constituted h
ls' faVOrite reading. replied "prose." To hi
ne prose or poetry were two distinct forms of me
ny tai food, which, like the tomatoes and oliv
" atore>a.d, he was at perfect liberty to like
'e' dislike. This is free country.
ne There is one branch of the Read Nothir
u order for whom-when they speak truth-v
ny have sincere pity and sympathetic estcem
70 These are the ones who would read il they h
''i time. These last occupy compulsory pla
e"' in the order, and they remind US of gentlena
l'h ly, well-behaved lovers of liberty, cast into
Italian prison in company with the most despC
ou, ate ruffians and " outsiders" These who ha
N. no time generally fly from the order at eve
n opportunity, and it is most generally from tho
DIS whose natural love of reading has thus at f
inn beeh checked and subsequently indulged, Il
me the most intelligent litcrati have arisen.