The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-04-28

was ID session. Hence the precise time OF
lis organization is not known; but It Is the
oldest il this section of the country witt
which we are acquainted
The Library and Debating Society wa:
established about the 18th OF January, S5l
The library has done more towards holding
Us together as an institution, than any thing
else. Some of the most valuable books II
contains are. the eight volume revised edi
ton of Rollins Ancient History, Josephus
Works in six volumes. Dick Works in two
volumes, Percivars Wonders of the World,
&c, &c.
From these works every member may ii
he has mind, gain abundance of informa-
ton which will be of almost inestimable val
ue 10 him in future life. This library was
made up in the following manner: Every
person who joined the society was bound
by q provision in the constitution to place in
the library book to the amount Of fifty
cents for those twelve years old and under,
and one dollar and fifty cents for those fifteen
years old and over
The founders Of this institute were, Jos.
c. Ratlif, Miles J. Shinn, Geo. Hill, VIM.
Thistlethwaite, VIM. P. Ratlif, Jonathan w
Newman aud others.
The members at first were few, not exceed
ing six or eight. We had about twice that
number of books. But soon our number of
members increased TO about Dozen our Ii
brary having increased some also. Our num-
Der Of books was small, but we determined
to try the experiment of establishing libra
~ IN the country.
New members were constantly seeking ad-
mittance, and every one who belonged seem
ed to take lively interest. both in debating
AL
ly it became mostly filed with standard
DC.
Not unfrequently were the members, to
the ANNOYANCE of some of the sleepy headed
ones, who found great trouble in getting to
sleep from the constant noise kept up by the
voice of the debaters, until the unholy
hour of twelve O'Clock at night. We now
thought every obstacle overcome, every i'm
pediment removed Our sun shone brightly
upon our path, and as we looked forward in
to the future, success we thought would
crown all our efforts. But storm awaited
US. We soon found that the public sentiment
of the district was against US, and some of
our members removed to other sections of
the country.
Mnny becoming discouraged, left US. anb
the society seemed to sink into oblivion
The finger of scorn has often been pointeb
10 members Of our society, as they passed III
their daily pursuits of lie. Almost every
one had something to say disrespectful of US.
In this critical condition, some of our most
active members moved away.
Then we felt like ship on the bosom of
the deep tossed by the raging storm. Only
four members were left. What must we do?
Should we submit to the popular sentiment of
~, al +h,
we could not do that because by provision
Of our constitution. we we've bound to keep
it up .as long as there remained three per-
sons belonging to it, And further, if the
society should ever be dissolved, all books
and propety belonging to it should be placed
in the hands of the school Trustees, there to
remain until another society should be estab-
lished under the provisions Of this constitu-
tom
Then followed the declaration: This art
ic2e shall nerer be changd' Considering
this. were determined TO meet somewhere
any how; so took to meeting in the back
room of a shoe shop of one of our members,
aud at other times IN paper mill close by;
even there, mid the humming Of the machin
cry, did we transact our business.
About the year 1851 the public sentiment
began TO tIIn in our favor, aud having re-
ceived some addition to our list of members,
again We ventured to hold our meetings in
The school house, where we could have free
access to our library. This was another sea
son OF prosperity to US, aud we began to raise
ourselves from the dust which the public
had heaped upon US. Thus invited bv cheer
ful prospects, we went on with the work
which We had 5, nobly begun. and had so
adhered to in the hour of adversi-
ty.
Our book case not being yet full, we con
cluded to each Of US make present in the
form OF a book TO put IN it, and thus it was
considerably enlarged Books were taken
cut, read and returned by the members in
general Anonymous compositions and pa
pers continually passed through the Miscel-
laneous Box, contributing in no small degree
TO the amusement and Improvement Of the
members.
No obstacle appeared IN our wav. except
now and then business would drag for want
OF proper interest, and some s.old fogv''
would nave to give vent to his pent up feel
ings IN a TRADE Of abuse against us
Ia April, 1857, having passed BY law
limiting the speakers IN debate to thirty min
u.es, one Of our most active members became
50 much offended at It that he Immediately
left the society This was drawback TO Us,
bat we made up the deficiency by applying
ourselves more closely TO the work.
On the night Of the 11th Of july. 1857.
we held our first exhibition, which was Of
literary character, in q neigbborins school
house, which gave satisfaction on ali sides
Soon after. there was similar society tn ours
established there. with the same constitution.
but they had no library
Animated by the success of or,r srs+ax