Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-30
ErAns11ILr. In. Anr. % 1855

EVANSVILLE, lED.i Aug. ~, 1865.
Messrs. Editors:
DEAR SIRs-We think it would be do.
ing ourselves Injustice not to reply to
" Nottingham" as published in your
paper of ibis morning, although we do
not feel competent to do the subject
justice First No man has ever been
authorized to collect one cent as yet for
this purpose, and we now warn this very
liberal community (tor we know, when
we do ask them, they will respond, as
they always do, with credit to them
selves) not 10 give one cent to any indi-
vidual unless he comes properly author
lied, bis name having been announced
in the paper of the city at least two
weeks previous to his commencing his
solicitation; and we would further state
that il is our intention to give a picnic,
or something ON that order, in the latter
part OF September, for the purpose of
realizing starting fund TO this library
and reading ROOM We are also very
glad, indeed, that it is looked upon in
so favorable q light, and are thankful
for the invitation given to participate in
the present. organized library. Bat we
cannot do so for several reasons-not
because we don't think it is good thing,
and properly conducted, and all that
"Workingman" thinks it is. We know it
is the best thing that class of men have
in the city. We have several reasons
why we should not do as "Workingman"
says. asgal
First, By so doing we cut off the very
class of men that we are striving to
reach. Now we all know there is
large number Of young men-meehan-
ies--Nho are drifting about, spending
their evenings in dissipation, who might
be reclaimed by the proper method, bat
we can never get them into the old Lii
brary Association spoken of BY Work
ingmsn.' But if We can get them frat
interested in the new one, so as to take
stock in it, or influence them by daily
association, and lead them into it, which
we know that none viii work all day
with us, and then refuse to spend an
evening with as in a reading room. and
then they would benefited, and We know
that we could not get them to attend the
room now established; they would feel
cramped and not free to act as they
should. Our experience has taught as
this often in the past AZ for the cost
of Library, that is nothing. We want
a Library containing scientific works,
and great many books that are used in
the common schools here. Our men
cannot take hold of the works spoken OF
by nWorkingmsn" such as Dickens,
Bulwer, Irving, Locke, &c. 1t would
be years before We came to those great
and magnificent books. We cannot sx-
pect to elevate and ethereaIize all at
once; there is q vast amount of work to
do before we come to this process of
education, which Nottingham ought
to know, if he does not
The second reason given By "Work-
ingman is all well enough.
But, thirdly: This reason, and wish
would be very pleasant indeed; but does
my friend think there will ever be any,
thing else but Good, Better, and Best
classes in society7 IL 50, he is very
much mistaken; and if he fears a col
lapse in the present established library
he may at once Danish this from his
mind, for I think 1t in too firmly estab-
lished, and an honor to our city; and II
would be much too high step for soms
Of cur mechanics to take soon, although
they have good and honest hearts; and
as for union, that is just what We want