Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-11-27
ANNIVERSARY CLUB PAPER.
1t is said by one of the greatest
poets that

/
1t is said by one of the greatest
poets that
| OF old, when Scarroh his friends invited,
Each guest brought his dish, and thus the
feast was united.
If our landlord supplies us with beef and
Let each guest bring himself, and he brings
the best dish.
In truth, might say, then, that
our bill-Of-fare is most excellent,
both as to quantity and quality, and
there is no need that mine host
should furnish either beef or fish,
those two dishes which were once
the foundation of every English
feast.
There is something in an anniver-
sary which appeals to the softer
sentiments of the human heart, but
as | am to furnish only beef and
fish, the few thoughts | shall throw
out will be practical rather than
sentimental.
The review of the one year of our
existence is full of pleasure. Seve-
raj items deserve notice. In the
first place, we have lost no member
by death. Several have removed,
some have changed both their local
habitation and their name, but we
mourn the death of none.
The goodwill and harmony that
have prevailed is noticeable, in a
club of so many members, and where
the ruling element is composed so
largely of what humQrist calls
"female folk" commonly called
"wimmen," bat rightly a0O-men.
The readiness with which the
members have discharged any duty
devOlved upon them is praise
worthy. The attendance has been
unusually good through wintry
weather and the fervid heat of sum-
mer. Only once have we failed of
an average attendance, and then
the reasons were good. The assist
ant officers, with this one excepted,
have been in their places throughout
the year. In this connection, both
for myself and the vice-president,
would | tender thanks to our secre-
tary, Mr.. Rudolph, upon whom has
fallen no little labor and some ex-
pense in notifying appOintees and
absentees. Upon these minutes,
trying in themselves and apparently
unimportant, are the issues of sue
cess. know none more worthy Of
the encomium pronounced upon
Washington ellis modesty equals
his merit, and that is greater than l
have words to express" l make
this tribute the more cheerfully be-
cause / did not know his excellen-
cies when we organized, and sug-
gested another man. l now take
back that suggestion, and in the
coming election shall cast my vote
for him.
To Mrs. West and to Mrs. Stew
art | feel especially indebted for
favors in securing music, and no less
grateful to those who have so kindly
assisted, both to members of the
club and to ladies and gentlemen in
the community.
The amiability with which you
have ignored the many mistakes of
yourinexperienced president is fully
appreciated.
The cordiality with which the
club has been welcomed by the citi-
zens of GAINESVILLE is worthy of
note and acknowledgment. Persons
not connected with the association
have thrown open their doors and
said, Consider them open all the
while" I can but hope that we
may continne to meet such favor.
While we have never been en-
barrassed for entertainment, one
thing has been embarrassing: l
have often felt that we taxed the
kindness of our entertainers by the
lateness of the hour at which we
meet.
This should not be. 1t works to
our disadvantage in several re.
spects, beside the one mentioned.
We must hurry or omit important
matters or else adjourn at a time
which units us for work the next
day. This prevents from joining us
some the best material.
Another thing has embarrassed,
and must be remedied If the organi-
zation become permanent, as / hope
it may.
l refer to the lack of books, books
suitable even for an evenings en-
tertainment, to say nothing of the
wide want of books for historical /
and literary re search.
We ought to have a library. AS
yet our empty shelves have pro-
voked the pity Of but one man, and |
he stranger. | have held to that |
one book contributed as nucleus,
hoping that its Loneliness would at
tract sympathy and companion
ship, but with the dying of the year,
it still walls, 81 am alone, all alone"
Every one of us could spare from
our shelves at least one book, and
all could help to- buy books. The !