The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-06-07

We have been much gratified at learning that
the Executive Committee of the Historical Society
of Virginia have resolved to propose to the Me-
chauics' Institute and the Agricultural Society OF
Virginia, that three Associations should unite in
raising funds and constructing al edtce in this
city for their joint purposes. The idea has origi-
mated, doubtless, from the efforts which the Me-
chanics Institute is now making to raise funds for
. building for its purposes. We respectfully
suggest that the proposition of the Historical So
eiety should be adopted.
A building could, we doubt not readily be con-
trlved in such manner as to afford ample accom-
modations for all three Associations While each
Of the three would require separate apartments
for some purposes, yet for others the same apart
ment might be used in common. The cost of one
building, which might thus be made to answer all
the purposes required, would be much less than
the cost of three buildings, which would not after
all, afford any better accommodation. At the
same time, such building as would be required
for the three Associations must be of sufficient size
to render it an imposing public edifice, and the
united efforts of the three would doubtless procure
funds enough to render 1t ornamental as well as
an imposing edifce; when the purposes of neither
Association alone would require such an edifce,
nor Its means enable it to erect such an one
Each Association, too, will have objects of in
ferest to the public which would add to the attrac
tions of the Others and be in some respects assim
ulatsd The Historical Society. for instance, is
making collection of historical portraits, which
already comprises several of considerable merit
and will soon, as we are told, have some impor
tant additions made to it; and this collection would
now, and viii much more hereafter, when it is ex.
tended, add greatly to, and altogether comport
with, some branches of the arts, encouraged bv
the Mechanics Institute, and give additional in.
tsrest to its exhibitions. And so with reference tn
agricultural implements, the object of the Mecb.n
les Institute and OF the Agricultural Society is
almost IDENTICAL whilst the history of the arts and
agriculture unite them both, to some extent. with
the Historical Society.
The art of association-of accomplishing, by
united means, what cannot be otherwise obtained:
IL itself very important and useful art; and one
which Virginians need to learn and to practice to
. much greater extent than hitherto. We would
urge its adoption by these Associations in this in
stance; and we feel assured that it will result in
accomplishing the object desired by all of them in
more economical satisfactory and certain man
ner than can be done otherwise We venture.
therefore, to suggest further that the three Asso
Citations take measures at once to obtain plan of
such building, and agree upon its adoption and
the terms of their uniting in its construction: and
that in the meantime the effort to raise funds by
the Mechanics Institute alone be suspended; for
we are sure that much more liberal and extended
subscriptions may be obtained for the three objects
combined than can be done for either alone.