Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-30

bES a communication from naive
Tennesseean signed Librarian" was
received last evening, in which the au-
thor requests US to bring the matter of
public library before the community
here. We fully concur with the author
as to the importance of the object. That
cannot be good moral state of society
in which books are ignored, any more
than it can be well educated commu
nifty. A city of merchants without a
public library is yardstick affair with
out intelligence or soul. Money be-
comes the god of men, who are too
much immersed in business to care for
literature and science, and they grow
mean in proposition to the fidelity with
which they follow their model. In the
nature of things it must be so. The
habit of grovelling for the shiny dust
dulls the nobler impulses, and deadens
the better traits of humanity. An old
man who has done nothing else, sees
good in nothing else, he appreciates
nothing noble, the idea of any greatness
of soul which does not result in riches
is distasteful to him, the tender affections
dry up within him, a liberal minded man
is disgustful to him, charity is word
not in his dictionary, he teaches his own
children by example to love money
above men, and even by precept to
strive for it above all things else. Save,
save, save, is eterRslly on his tongue,
and he enjoys the making of money so
much that he can see no pleasure in the
rewards of any intellectual exertion, or
knowledge, or even in the inexpressible
delights which pertain to benevolent acts
themselves.
Such is the ordinary effect of the bust
ness education of city life. And com
monty the youth are restrained by the
rod, because it is cheaper than iutellec.
tual food and innocent amusements.
Thousands Of youth are ruined by this
spare the rod and spoil the child doc
trine, who might be led to the heights Of
virtue, fame, wealth and happiness by
enticiug them with books and judicous-
ly selected means of enjoyment.
As a single instrument of good to the
rising generation especially, and even to
the old and money crusted men OF cur
time, what can be had at SO little cost,
which is at the same time so likely to
prove efficient and profitable as a well
selected library. By all means, we
would advocate it; and thank our cor.
respondent for calling our attention to
the matter, as one Of present and lively
interest and moment 1t is a shame to
our city that there is any need Of such
call. 1t costs more to do without libra
ry in city, than it would to buy and
support dozen. The impolicy of such
stinginess is as obvious as that of letting
/ huS SotAAS AhAo loAA otSAeAA VI AD"NA
garden for want Of gate, or filling penn
tentiaries WITH matured aud vicious
maekerels for want of public schools.
The cost is such rife, when compared
with the advantages Of the accomplish.
ment Of this enterprise, that il should
not be thought Of Ike insurance, a
few dollars will prevent thousands in
our cities from becoming moral wrecks,
and We hope soon to see the initiative.
five can furnish any aid We shall always
take pleasure in doing so. And as one
man must take it in hand, where many
will not, we hope to see our correspond
ent make the effort at once. We will
not so mslign Nemphians as to doubt
that they will give sufficient support to
this laudable enterprise when it is once
on foot