The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-04-10
For the North Iowa Times.

Literary InssItusiOns.
Col. RlcHARDsoN-.Sir: As editor Of =
paper in our city are younot one Of
our chief spokesman, and is it not ex-
pected Of YOU to satisfy the inquiries that
are raiseds And, if so, how are you to
speak for us when we are asked by an en-.
quiring public, "What and where are your
Literary Institutions 7" "Whcre are your
Debating Societies, your Reading Rooms,
your .ublic LiLraries!" These are almost
the first questions asked by every person
who is drawn here for the purpose Of dcliv-
ering lecture, or giving literary enter
:aiament; and it lis with shame we have to
confess that we have none. We who have
been witnesses to the growth and prosperi-
ty of this young city confess to our sur.
rounding sisters, who excel us in this
branch Of enterprise, that We take no in.
terest in institutions Of that character
Are we 50 much wrapt in self that we can
not see beyond our vaults and safes or is
it because no individual takes prominent
stand to lay the foundation Of these insti.
tutions that shonld be our pride and boast?
They srs ss-ssan4ia,d by which an enlight
ened and discriminating world judge Of our
enterprise; they ut once say, where these
things are neglected the seeds of corruption
are beginning to start, scattered by the Law.
ish hands OF the indscreet controllers Of
public opinion. Besides, would it not be
better for our young men, and argue more
favorably for their future in life if their
hours of leisure We're spent in the Reading
Room or Debating Society than at the
Gard Table. where only bad influences are
brought tobear on minds just forming them.
selves for future veal or woe? YOUNG
MAN. on tho rough sea Of lite's realities,
drifting over unknown dceps, what are
your aspirations, and whittier are you
bound To what does your ambition lead?
Are you striving to emulate the example OF
earth's renowned, or do you live for the
present only-its passing scenes pregnant
with sorrow? Immortality, burning with.
in, cries Live for some purpose Far
down the slopes Of coming time the voice
of Postcrity is heard, and reverberating
through its dismal cavsrns comes the cry.
Act for coming generatinns!' And will
you pass the call UNDECIDED! Rouse your
latent energies, and cease to tread the beat.
en- track your fathers blindly made. Pre-
pare to satisfy the mental as we'll as the
physical, and make your mission truly glo-
rious.
CITIZENS! will you not provide for the
wants Of your children. and show your love
for learning by giving your. support to such
institutions? Who will take the first step.
Let not another winter pass before measures
are taken, and plans put in successful op.
Grafton for their maintainance.
McGregor, April 1, 1861. II. E. 6.
In answer to. and by way Of Endorsement
Of the article above, we will state that for
four years past we have annually, semi-an-
nually and quadrenially called the attention
Of our readers to tho importance Of Litera.
ry progress. Libraries, Associations, &C.,
&C., have been "sct up in as attractive
terms as our limited use Of language would
admit Of. We have also prayed them to
organize Fire Company, Brass Band, .
Military Company and all such things, but
they won't mind US. We now propose to
give $25 in good, new books to Library
At McGregor, so to Brass Band, and
| s25 to Fire Company, and to double each
Of these amounts il canvass Of the town
should show them to DO too light to effect
| the ,.,YnoseS in view