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

ted in n proper channel, it will prove Of
incalculable benefit 10 mankind. See with
what gigantic strides it has marched along
ni,s career Of progress, since the landing
of Columbus, upon the shores of this Cont
nent, up to the present time, until from the
broad Atlantic to the mighty Pacific, towns
and cities, surprising in intellect and mag
nificence, 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
as the rose.
1t is much to he feared, that there is, at
the present time, a disposition in the minds
of this young and newly setlled communi-
~, to guard against the encroachments Of
knowledge. The lever with which they
think to move the world, is Mammon aud
in It's 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 inuction, is it not our duty to
produce something to counteract its de-
moralizing effects upon society Wehaye
a number of intelligent young men, among
us, whose mental abilities, if properly cuI-
tiya:cd, would render them to
society. They have no place in which to
devote their leisure hours, unless in Il moi
sy boarding house, or in the whiskey shop,
where they are too often lured from the
path Of rectitude and sobriety.
We are living in n fast age, an age in
which geniu' and improvement is devel-
oping itself, in a variety of forms butt
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 q place of shelter, except
in a 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 in
the states were taken, and it worked pros
perously, until the claims in the county,
were required to be settled upon, and inn
proved then their zeal for the cause Ian
guished, aid the few remaining in town
became dissatisfied, and it was soon found
impossible to muster a corporal's guard,
Major Strickland and others, endcavored
to rally the forces, but it was found there
was not sufficient animus left TO restore
its already defunct energies.
Our city has now grown to considerable
size and importance, and it is highly es-
sential that some steps should be taken, to
place ourselves upon a prominent a foot
ing, rs our older but less favored eastern
cities. If our citizens would meet togeth-
or, aud raise a fund that would enable us
to build a commodious hall, which could be
used for lectures, reading room, and deba-
ting, where all, who take an interest in
this matter could unite, bachelors and mar.
ried, wilhoul any exclusiyeness, then i
would add n brigh, page, in the history Of
Bellevue. If it is impossible in these
hard times, to raise the necessary funds
for such an institution, we could convene
in the school house, during the approach
ing winter, and establish a Literary AS,
ISOLATION, which would reflect credit upon
this young and enterprising city, and be !
mutual source of pleasure and instruction
to all who feel interested in the progress.
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