Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-03-18
Its History and Objects, a. Reported
by "A Com mittee OF TIN he society,"


by a CoInmittee of tn society
This society was organized about eighteen
months ago, somewhat temporary in its char
acter Aftera short existence, it was found
by its friends that the better plan was to es-
tablish it on a more enduring basis, and ac-
cordingly charter was obtained in March,
A d. 1861, and on the 10th day of December,
1867, the Society organized under its char
Ter and now exists as a regular corporation,
With rights and immunities which, if duly
exercised and maintained. will render it an
ornament to our place and blessing 10 our
people. Its object is not only to diffuse in
formation By lectures, essays and discussions
but to foster and encourage, and If possible
establish, higher and more refined literary
taste throughout our community.
Ii seeks to furnish place where the Young
men Of our city may assemble, surrounded by
influences which are elevating in their char
acter and instructive in their results 1t
seeks 20 arouse q desire for learning and for
study and, to i limited extent, open the way
for the growth Of the intellect that has re
ceiyed nee. i7np1iss from. this source, and
burns with a new zeal inspired by sound lit
eFary associations.
The more unoccapied hours that are spent
ture, or in the arena of discussion or in the
more quiet study of books and reviews, the
less time there Is left for idleness and de-
bauchery- With the young, association, rec
reation and activity are as necessary for a
healthy and normal condition of the mind as
food and clothing are for the existence and
comfort Of the body, and when these attri
butes are acted out it Is only nature
Z Necessity knows no law IS as true in
the moral and intellectual as in the physical
world, and he who in a furnishing condition
takes only enough of his ighbor's goods TO
drive gauRt hunger from his door, can hardly
be said to be guilty of larceny; and when,
s. il sometimes the case, perishing men are
ia an open boat on the ocean, and take the
lie Of one that the others may survive, -
this Is not murder
And when young man or young woman
leaves the family household and hcarthstonc,
where matters are conducted with the utmost
precision. and il may be with parental affec-
ton seeks recreation, society aud fellow
ship iu base and dncharitablc world, and
IN finding them, and In satisfying an aching
void of the heart, made by the Creator for
tie benefit Of the race, falls perchance in
tHe ptth Of dissipation and crmc-arc not
So sao 10 not try To make the incentives to
yirtu. gvfting and attractive as the al
lurrmett IS Of vice, guilty Of an ofiensc, ac-
e0ssosics before the fact !.
We 10 not pretend to apologize for those
who persist in doing wrong, but We do say
that ii is 4 lamentabIe fact and we urge it
upon the consideration of this society, that
much money and means are spent daily in
pampering the appctites and undermining
the character Of our Young men, and SO little
expended in supplying their intellectual
wants and social capacities. From the age
IF fifteen years, when majority of our
Young men cease going to school, until their
fs4f, ar,8 ffr,afr 81 FynH in
society, there seems TO be a lacA of parental
care AMI discipline which renders this period
ID life fruitful one in learning much that
Is worthless to know and pegnicious to prac-
tree This Society proposes to furnish at
least one place where both young and old OF
all classes may meet often they
sOoSe and listen 10 and take part in such
intellectual exercises a are consistent with
their selfreSpect and inductive of mental
grow IT, IA place where rowdyiSm in not
commended, and drunkenness net respecta-
able
The Society. in connection with the Good
Tenn .ars. have leased the Hall for n term Of
Years. and have the right 20 apply the i'm
provemcuts placed upon the Hall in paving
rents. Considerable has been done already
III fitting mp the Uall, and much more must
ba done before il Is well calculated for the
uses sse are new making of it, One of the
small rooms is leased with the Hall, and is
designed for library and reading room, and
your committee take pleasure in saying that
shelving has been fixed w therein, and more
than l5c volumes have already been contrib
utcIr aud your committee of the opinion
THAT iii a short time one of the best libraries
III this part Of the state viii be collected
here for tho use ana benefit of the people.
In a short time table will be placed in this
room an which viii he found the leading
magazines aud reviews of this country at
least, and several daily journals, accessible
- all
With these objects in view, your commit
tee claim this Society Is one of the public
institutions of the place, and IS a. much en-
titled "a the consideration and support of all
good citizens as are our institutions of learn
ing and places Of pfhlic worship