Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-11-05
Eof the Relleyne Ghzette.

ted in n proper channel, it will prove Of
incalculable benefit 10 mankind. See with
what gigantic strides it has marched along
in its career Of progress, since the landing
of Columbus, upon the shores of this Contl-
nent, up to the present time, until from the
broad Atlantic to the mighty Pacific, towns
and cities, surprising in intellect and mag
n%ifcence, the proudest and Oldest cities of
the Eastern World, have sprung up as if
by the magic wand Of the enchantcr, and
the wilderness has been made TO blossom
rs the rose.
II is much to be feared, hat there is, at
the present time, a disposition in the minds
of this young and newly settled commune
~, to guard against the encroachments of
knowledge. The lever with which they
think to move the world, is Mammon and
in ITS unhallowed pursuit, hundreds are
Fastening with eager footsteps, into the
vortex of desperation. See the young
man, who has left the home of his youth,
in the East, TO embark his fortune in the
far off West. He has declared himself
from the facilities which he once had of
acquiring knowledge, and is thrown upon
his own resources, with no other object in
view, than his own personal ~nggrandize-
ments. The generous impulses of his ma.
ture, become absorbed in the desire for
wealth and he is cold and reckless, of all
else, save the possession of the almighty
dollar. Now, TO guard against this NOR
bid state of iraction, is it not our duty 10
produce something to counteract its de-
mornlizing effects upon society Wehave
a number of intelligent young men, among
us. whose mental abilities, if properly cul-
tiva,ed, would render them ornament 10
society. They have no place in which to
devote their leisure hours. unless in a moi
sy boarding house, or in the whiskey shop,
where they are too often Iured from the
path Of recliludc and sobriety.
We are living in q fast age, an age in
which geniu' and improvement is devel-
oping itself, in a variety Of forms butin
all the elements which constitute true
greatness, we are sadly retrograding.-
The desire for the acquisition Of useful
knowledge is fast sinking into desuetude.
Two years last spring, a literary Asso-
citation was organized in this city, (where
there was not a place of shelter, except
in q few Government log cabins, )compos-
ed of young men from all parts of the
Union, attracted hither, by the land ma
mia. Oar meetings were held in |. Ben
Nets house, and in the Omaha blacksmith
shop. The society numbered some TWEEN
ty members. DR.. Upjohn, was chosen
President, and VIM. +. Wilder, Secreta.
ry; and many interesting debates were
had during its existence, which LASTED
some three or four months. Some of the
most talented and popular newspapers ii
the states were taken, and it worked pros
perously, until the claims in the county
were required to be settled upon, and i'm
proved then their zeal for the cause Ian
guished, ard the few remaining in tow
became dissatisfied, and il wa soon founu
impossible TO muster n corporaFs guard
Major Strickland and others, endcavore
to rally the forces, but it was found Their
was not sufficient animus left to restor
its already defunct energies.
Our city has now grown 10 considerable
size and importance, ard it is highly c:
%sential that some steps should be taken,
place ourselves upon prominent a foo
ing, as our older but less favored easter
cities. IL our citizens would meet togets
or, and raise a fund that would enable |
TO build a c%ommodions hall, which could
used for lectures, reading room, and deb;
ting, where all, who take an interest
this matter could unite, bachelors and ma
ried, withou, any exclusiyeness, then
would add a brigh, page, in the history
Bellevue, If it is impossible in the'
hard times, to raise the necessary fund
for such an institution, we could CONVEX
in the school house, during the approach
> ing winter, and establish a Literary A,
: ISOLATION, which would reflect credit upc
this young and en~ierprising city, and be
mutual source of pleasure and instruction
to all who feel interested in the progre
O IL nl-nnn.n,nnA e n.nrnl lnnuulrAnn