Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-05-29

illtJi1 bSl CItstS d. tiIC tilI Vi tdcl
Is published by oi'ttoffg, in the rSpect,ttos
APublic Library and Lecture Room in
Stanton
One Of the greatest wants in our town is a
public library and lecture room. We have a
population Of near /; 1893 souls, which we VEN
ture to afirm is not surpassed by any other in
intelligence and moral excellence. We have
admirable schools, both male and fenale with
III our limits, and noble charitable institutions
on our outskirts. let strange to say, we have
10 public library, ard no hall for the instrue-
ton and entertainment of our citizens by lee
lures, and public addresses on literary and
scientific subjects. 1t seems to us this lefcien-
cy-indicates want Of public spirit, and Of re-
gard for the interests Of the rising generation
For fifty years past, Lexington has maintain
cd her Franklin Society," with it's valuable
hall, extensive library and instructive debates
Why cannot We profit by her example? We
have among us hundreds Of young persons
male and female, athrst for knowledge, and
who would gladly avail themselves Of the facili-
ties afforded hy good library. Some have
been MANNED in the war, and are rendered in
capable Of laborious employment. How graft
flying it would be to these to have the opportunity
Of study afforded By well assorted library, and
to receive instruction by q course of lectures du-
ring the winter months. How much useful in
formation could be impaired, and entertainment
afforded, i, the, Intelligent gentlemen of the
town would, from time to time, deliver lectures
on subjects Of general interest to the public
But we do not propose to enter into any argu-
ment on this subject The statement Of the
proposition is sufficient. All viii concede the
importance of it.
Our object is to show that it is practicable,
and the way in which it gan readily be accom-
rlished. . gl,.ss....
Three things are wanting hall; books and
lectures. We will consider them separately.
The Masons are now the owners of the build
ing in which the room, known as the Town
Hall, is situated. They have no use for this
room It is rather an CIRCUMFERENCE to them,
because there are constant applications to lease
it for purposes not altogether acceptable to ma
ny Of them. The Masons constitute a large
and respectable element Of our society Their
interest is identified with that Of the comm uni
-
ty. One Of their covenant obligations is to aid
the7children Of Masons in the struggles Of life.
Now, we respectfully submit whether the Ma
sons could do a more judicious thing, one more
fraught with benefits to the public at large and
with blessings to the families of Mascns, than
to dedicate this hall to the uses Of library and
lecture room, reserying to Masons and their
families free access to the library and lectures
under general rules prescribed for their govern
Gent?
The room Is large, located in the heart of the
town, accessible to all, and admirably adapted
to the purposes proposed. ,.Iasas .2c ..5li 9
If we can get the hail, the next step is to OBJ
tain books. This We are persuaded can readily
be done. Hundreds of our citizens will make
donations Of ten, twenty, fifty or ahundredyo
umes, and thus foundation will be laid for a
large aad respectable library. Everything must
have a beginning. Let us set the enterprise on
foot, andwe hazard little in saying we will have
more than 1000 volumes in three months
Many gentlemen have books of great value for
occasional reference which they would be very
wiling to give to q public library, because they
could always have the opportunity Of examining
them. when they wish to. do 50. Our people
are proverbial for their liberality and public
spirit. 1t is only necessary to point out the
way in which they can do good to induce them
to walk in it. Il
As for the third want leotrlres-what COM
munity Of equal sizes can furnish more Of the
best kind of material out of which lecturers are
made. Where are our preachers, our lawyers,
our doctors, and our teachers. Surely among
these we can find enough to instruct and charm
any audience during the winter months. The
lecture room will be an agreeable resort to
young and old, during the long winter months
New ideas would be impaired. The public
would be stimulated, knowledge diffused, intel
lectual culture. encouraged and the public taste
elevated Tr
How much better to spend an evening in
such place than in the blliard-room, the
drinking-saloon, OF at the gaming-table.
Let us then have the library by all means
Ii is. only necessary to will it to do it.
What say our friends Of the Masonic frater-
nifty? VIII they lend helping hand in this
noble enterprise? Let them bear in mind that
the plan we propose is one fthe best thatcould
be desired for the advancement of the interests
ofDIasons' families, and the elevation of the
moral and intellectual tone of the whole COM
munity.: Il
d Mr.. John f. Lewis. i.i
The .4naafcan Union, published at Harrison
burg, says that Mr.. John Z. Lewis didnot vote