Butte record., 1856-12-13
paal.e Lectures and Debates.

Shall we have course of public lectures
and debates in Oroville this winter By
reference to another column, it will be seen
in having a series Of public lectures and de-
bates in oroville during our long winter
evenings, are requested to meet in the Court
Room TO- morrow evening att o'clock for the
purpose Of organizing a lyceum or debating
society. We hope such an association will
soon be organized. We have, by far, too few
of the the literary and moral associations
that afford such pleasant "reminiscences Of
the past, and which have contributed so
much to the intellectual and moral improve
ment and advancement of the Atlantic
States.
IN the history Of California no town. per-
haps, has sprung into existence and acquired
30 large n population. within so brief peri
cd, as this same town of Oroville. With
great natural advantages, and the vast ex-
tent and almost inexhaustible richness of
the mineral wealth in our immediate vi
cnity, orr village has attracted the atten-
ton Of capitalists from different portions of
the State; and 0rovilie, now scarcely year
old. stands at the head of the mining towns
In California.
Tie retrospect of Oroviile is most fatter-
ing to the energy and enterprise of the char
acter Of our people. Our village spriuging
into existence and making such rapid i'm
provements, within so brief period, affords
an example in the advancement of material
wants aud prosperity, of which TO other in
the history of our young, golden, glorious
State, affords parallel.
While the -eminence Of our village as
an enterprising, wealth acquiring communi-
ty is thus admitted, it must be confessed
that its literary and moral appliances have
not been increased in an equBl degree. Many
undervalue these appliances because they
pay no rent but We deny the conclusion
drawn from gross or material standard,
and rely on the wisdom which pronounces
that g man cannot live on bread alone -
There are many things necessary to our
prosperity and happiness besides the sal-
mighty dollar
There is higher destiny for the agencies
of rational aud imaginative being than the
supply of material wants; and the per.ec-
tion of our moral and intellectual nature is
the object that should predominate over all
other considerations. We are author
lied to form the most pleasing anticipatiOns
of the future By the increasing influence of
the moral restraints, and the improvement
of the intellect, on which the security of
liberty and property mainly depends under
the mild administration of popular govern
ments- In proportion to the spread of
knowledge, the rights of the people have
been yindicated, and learning has proved the
nurse of freedom. And now when knowl-
edge, like the sun, shines upon all, freedom
in it's turn protects the tho cause of learn
ing.
Every institution which has for its object
the Improvement of our intellectual nature,
and ilnparts useful and sound knowledge, is
an institution which has a noble purpose in
view. We consider a lyceum, embracing
public lectures aud debates, such an institu-
ton; and here, especially, should doubly
value it, supplying as it would an aching
void II is earnestly to be hoped that per
manent lyceum may be organized here, at
once, which SHALL in addition TO getting up a
course Of public lectures and debates. essab-
lish pnAlic library, and thus supply that
general information and diffusion Of knowl-
edge, which without it would in great de-
gree be confined to the particular branches
of the calling in which each individual is
engaged.
Let not our sense of duty evaporate in
mere good wishes Every one who has him
self known the blessings Of education is es
peciaHN tdiieu ulOh 10 dNd MS luilfAuUi'
voice to the appsai in behalf of one common
fountain Of enlightening knowledge
We have passed some Of the most pleasant
evenings Of our lives in the public lecture
room, in the debating society, and in the
public library. We have heard flights of
eloGueuee in the old town house,or old school
house, that have moved US quite as much As
have those OF Calhoun. Clay, Choate, Ever
EFT, or Webster at later day. 1t is inf
nitely better to spend some of our evenings
in listening to an instructive, amusing,
witty lecture, in participating in spirited,
sensible debate, than than 20 pass all, or
most Of our evenings in the billiard, drink
ing, or other saloons and shops with which
every mining town in California is so abund-
antly supplied. Too mauy Of our young
men have been already ruined for want Of
other and better society and influences than
such saloons etc, afford. Let us hope that
brighter, a more promising future is in
store for Us, The 6ouRdless future. the in
terests Of rising generation, and remote
posterity, are involved in the issue, and he
is q worthy benefactor of his country, who
infuses into the hearts of men that sentiment
which stimulates the pursuit of knowledge,
and perpetuates tbs sacred flame by which
the world is enlightened.