Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-29
lily . LEADER.
EsDAY. NOVEnBER 20.
ry Recreations During the
Gaming winter. ~

tional vanity and consoling In the midst OF
our many Affections, to know that the
asrts of peace flourish as well as the arts
of war. In all our cities and larger towns
there is evidence of this in the fact thai
the people have provided for themselves .
course of lectures during the present win
ter. Such thing as series of literary
lectures is probably unknown in rebellion
from Richmond to the Rio Grande. There
the business of the whole people IS war.
They have neither time nor disposition for
anything else. In the North, however,
industrial and literary pursuits go on as
brisEly asever. War is only incidental. OIL
its actual horrors, we scarcely know any
thing.
1t is certainly gratifying to remember
this, and suggests the ides whether even
more of wholesome, rational enjoyment
would not serve to release the public mind
from the constant strain and anxiety which
attend the war even here in the North.
Are there not hundreds of towns and vii
lsges where something might be done
during the coming winter, to render lie
less monotonous than it will otherwise be ?
In many places, in most places, We may
truly say, the young men have so generally
gone into the army, that there is not that
public spirit or those rational entertain
ments which were sbundant before the
war. In many places, the only opPortuni-
ty for coming together, is afforded on Sun
day. Lectures, asinging-schools,"i the
travelling panorama, or family of sweet
singers are almost unknown. The weeks
drag out their weary length from Decem-
Der to March, in many places in
the rural districts with nothing
to relieve the mind or body in their tread
mill round of duties. This has been so
more than II will be during the
coming winter. The young must neeesss-
rlly be among the lesding spirits in pro
viding entertainments for the people;
and slresdy there is class Of young men
and women who at the beginning Of the
war were mere 'boys and girls" that can
do much to bring new life into many
places that heretofore were rendered
almost desolste,
We see no reason why lyceums, and
lectures could not be introduced into every |
village and town in the State. All that
is necessary is that a few leading men shall
take hold of the work. It may not be pos
sible to obtain afrst class" lecturers for
whom from fifty to onehundred dollars per
night must be paid. But there are in all
communities, especially on the Western
Reserve, men who are competent to lecture
with as much profit and interest to their
hearers, as Emerson or Beecher can to
theirs. There are men in every commu-
nifty, wounded or discharged from the ar
my, whocan tellan experience that in many !
cases, is both thrilling and instructive.
There are also professional men that might |
be obtained for g small compensation to
occasiona ] lectures on some i'm
portant subjects. Nor has there ever been
q time when more important subjects for
debate might be considered than now.
TIE times abound with them. By week |
" discussion of the subjects affecting the j
welfare of the nation, much very valuable |
and important truth would be ELECTED and
al citizens would be better prepared to
act wisely their part in the great
events still impending over US.
But in addition to snch literary
there might easily be organ
ized areading circles" Let number of
persons from twelve to thirty, meet at sp-
pointed places and on appointed evenings,
10 listen to selected readings and CONVERSE
lions thereon.
But above all these sources of literary
we would place the newspaper.
Many an hour, otherwise tedious and un-
could be spent in the careful
reading Of high-oned family newspaper.
It is shame for any intelligent citizen to
plead poverty as an excuse for not furnish
ng his family with the daily or weekly
OurnsL These are times when, to be ig-
norant of the great events transpiring, is
10 be eriminally guilty. In addition TO
his, newspaper in the family is one Of
he s1rest methods of cultivating a taste
iOr reading among the children Of the
We make these general suggestions with
he hope that they may stimulate many Of
,ur readers to a stronger desire for those
Intellectual and literary recreations that
ire within the reach of almost every com
nunity. A little energy, a little public
Ipirit, and the arts of peace msy flourish
n your midst, and a great many minds
and hearts be relieved of the terrible
pressure which constant brOoding over this
unhappy war is calculated to produce.