The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-02-03
The Dallas Library Association.

DALLAS, TEXAS, February g. 1876.
70 the Editor OF The Dallas Herald;
In addressing you on the above sub
ject, | wish not only to enlist the SYM
pathits OF the whole community, but
20 receive their active cooperation In
an institution that ought for It's own
welfare to belong and be controlled by
the city authorities, the cost Of It's sup
port being betrayed by II tax on the in.
habitants Of the city (Which 80 divided
would be very light burden on the
taX-payersb VINO then would have u
free reading room supplied with all
the newspapers and current literature
OF the day Also loaning books to the
working classes, provided they first pro-
cure ticket supplied by the Library
for the purpose OF being signed by two
taxpayers of tho city, thereby recOg
nizing the respectablity and RESPONSE
Diliiy Of the bOrrOSer minor matters
of detail with respect TO the rules and
management Of the Public Library
could he left to the committee to be
elected for that purpose. No doubt
some will ask, why change the present
association? TO which answer that
the full benefit Of II Is not felt by the
community at large, whilst If 1t be-
lOnged to the city, it would be much
more used and known than now
IA II private affair; whilst ut
the same time the communications
that have appeared in the papers re-
specting it show that, up to the pres
ent time, it has been failure, conse-
quently now is the lime for the city to
found such an institution before the
old one is entirely shut up, and its col
lection of books scattered. Also, to
combine with ii series Of lectures ue-
livered, firstly, by the many eminent
ministers of the city on educational,
scientific and literary subjects, and
when possible obtain the services of
some noted lecturer, who may be trav-
cling in this part of the country,
thereby increasing its attraction to the
public, and helping to thin little the
billiard, keno and other saloons that
attract so many young men after their
| days labor. In conclusion, ! quote u
few passages that naturally prove the
advantage of such an institution to a
city: Carlyle writes: 'rhe true uni
versities of these days is a collection OF
books. This truth was dimly recog-
uized by wise ancient rulers. Ty"
mandes, the old Egyptian King OF
Memphis, Pisistratus, the enlightened
tyrant of Athens, NerXes, Ptolemy,
Softer Attalus, the Roman Caesars, the
Moorish conquerors of Spain, Charlie
magne all seem to have felt founding
II library an act of prinpely Wis
dom.h Lord Bacon tells us! "Crafty
men condemn studies, simple men ad.
mire them, aud wise men use
them" Samuel Smiles writes; 'Ig.
norance arms men against each
other, nils jai!s, provides lpeniten-
tiaries and police, the physical force OF
the State is provided by ignorance, is
required by ignorance, and is very
often welded by ignorance. In fact,
it is obvious that 10 promote culture
and to disseminate learning By the city
institutions are It's most potent neth-
DDS of developing civilization, which,
in its turn, is ever the most loyal aux
iliary ofgood and orderly government.
Apolagising for trespassing so much
on your valuable space, remain, very
respectfully, yours, etc, MEMO.
Dallas, Texas, February !, 1915,