Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-19
A PUBLIC LIBRARY.

EDITOR PUBLIC LEDGER-Know-
ing the columns of your valuable paper
to be always open to the discussion Of
matters of public interest, and ever
ready to sound all questions of public
veal, | have seized the present lull in
local and national affairs to offer some
suggestions upon the propriety of the
establishment ofa public library in
Memphis.
The necessity, objects, aims and
uses of such an institution are obvious
to every reasoning mind. The ques-
ton is, should Memphis have that
with which so many other cities are
now blessed? In view of the recent
epidemic, to some the present would
not seem a propitious time to engage
in such an undertaking. The idea is
fallacy and carries no argument on
its face. The fact of our recovery
from affiiction is no reason for remain
ing prostrate and helpless-but should
only sharpen the aims Of public ad-
vancement and lead us forward with
fresh energy and vigor to grander
achievements. In other words, it
would prove one of the forces to allie
viate our convaleseence.
1t is not my purpose to enter upon
a field of philosophic inquiry nor of
literary speculation, but | come
as a friend to the enterprise, to
offer some reflections upon its advan-
tages and achievements, AS a place
of recreation, as a means of propa-
eating literary pursuits, as a source OF
education for those who have been
denied many of its advantages, as a
literary pastime from the cares and
anxieties of business, the public library
is intended.
We know but too well if no effort is
made to increase our store of knowl-
edge we can never attain it. Educa-
ton is indeed the foundation of our
prosperity. To philosophize upon its
advantages seems almost mockery Of
the understanding. The march Of
progress under its guidance is daily
observation, and what it has done in
the different periods of the past is but
too well known and useless for me to
reiterate here. From out of the dark
rites of Polytheism among the Greeks
have hoated to us the ideas of her
educated minds, which are wonder
to the nineteenth century, and from the
clotted theories Of the Church oi
Rome has arisen civilization which
has been urged forward with each sue.
ceeding age.
Literature is the never-dying prin.
ciple of speech, and libraries are the
evidences of its immortality. The
library founded by the great Egyptian
at Memphis was surmounted by the
inscription The Healing of the Soul,
so sweet therein was supposed to be
the effect of contemplation and medi.
tation.
The proaigate, Mark Antony, whc
crushed kingdoms on caprice, dona.
ted 100000 volumes as a gift to Cleo.
patra and to this day nothing more
gracefully expresses through its in.
trinsical effect the uttcrance of appre.
citation than the presentation of q
book, and if we desire to thrill the
fascination of such present, let it bt
sprinkled here and there with the
emphasis of pencil marks to deepen
the impression of some favorite senti.
ment.
The actual state of the education
morals, general character and happi.
ness Of community may be regarded
as the true expression of the power o.
the moral and Intellectual force,
engaged for its improvement. The
usefulness of any public enterprise il
precisely what the zeal and intelligence
of the community make it. There i,
proportionally no city in the Unior
which can boast of more intelligence
than is found in our city. From il,
earliest pioneer establishment it