The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-12-12
E V A N S WILL E:
The Lectures.

1t has been with sincere regret, and some
modification, that we have witnessed the lack
of spirit on the part Of our citizens, in sec
onding the efforts of the Library Association
to procure series of Lectures for us, during
the winter. The gentlemen who first started
the enterprise-and who deserve much credit
for the spirit they manifested-have become
almost discouraged by the cold Indifference
they have met, from those on whose encour-
agement and public spirit they relied. We
observe, almost every town OF three or four
thousand inhabitants throughout the West,
has made arrangements for a course of litera-
ry and scientific lectures during the winter.
Some are supporting two courses at the same
time. Every town in our State, of more than
two thousand inhabitants, is now enjoying
the rational amusement of a course of scien-
tifc lectures. Old fogy Vincennes, is giving
her dull old ear to the voice Of science; La
fayette, Terre Haute, indianapolis, Madison,
New Albany, Richmond, Toledo, and every
other younger place that has any population,
intelligence, taste and wealth, has provided
literally for lectures. The remote towns in
Iowa, Minnesota. and Wisconsin, are drawing
to them some of the most eminent men in
the country, and by liberal fees, inducing
them to go to those cold regions in this in
clement season. to reveal to their citizens the
beauties of science, and the attractions Of lit
erature. Is our large town-with wealth-so
favored by nature-so boastful of what she is
to be, to shame her people by being the only
city in this great valley that manilests no
taste--no desire for knowledge and refine
ment? Such a reputation abroad, will Sc
riously affect her material growth and pros
perity; for intellectual enjoyments have now
become one of the substantial wants Of soci-
ETY.. The laborer and mechanic, now want in
tellectual food and recreation more than the
lord did, an age ago; and they and all classes
will avoid place that supplies none Of those
wants, for community that cultivates them
The value of property depends, in these days
good deal on the taste, intelligence, and in
telectual character of the population that oc-
cupies it, and as well upon the moral tone
that prevails among them. If no higher mo
tive, let regard for selfinterest stimulate
every one to encourage such enterprises. /
there be any so dull and negligent of his owl
advancement that he will not patronize these
lectures for his own sake if he has a house o.
lot, or any fixed interest in this commune
ty, let him buy ticket as an investment t.
improve his estate; and we will assure him
he had better pay tax of one or two pc
cent. on all he has here, than have it go abroad
that the city of Evansville has not got intel
ligence, taste, and public spirit enough
among her citizens to get up course Of sci
entifc lectures. The city had better sinh
$4,000, than have such a fact published
through the country, as it surely will be- /
the enterprise be not handsomely carried out
Who will come to place, supposed to be 81
far in the rear of all her sister cities?