Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-04
A1Ds TO POPULAR PROGRESS.

4 recent letter in the Nation concerning
the progress of popular education in Bal
timore contains some very suggestive state
ments. Between Johns Hopkins and Pea
body and Pratt lwho has recently given
million dollars to the city for free library
Baltimore is better provided with educa-
tional appliances than any city in the
Union, and perhaps we might say, in the
world. 1t has fine library of reference
good public library, for more general use;
and now it is to have free circulating
library. Together with these advantages
it has the Johns Hopkins University,
nobly endowed, and what is perhaps better
than all, it has prestige of philanthropy
which is certain TO keep up the stream of
benefactions. Few cities have been so
favored in this regard. Thus John Me-
Donogh left 500, 600 for the education of
poor boys; George Peabody gave $780,
600 for the founding of the Peabody Ia.
stitute; Johns Hopkins left 100000
one half for hospital, the other half for
university; Enoch Pratt has given 81, 000,-
900 for free library. With such helps
Baltimore ought to become the Athens OF
the United States, and there is evidence
already that the people there are being
sensibly improved by the magnificent
educational opportunities showered upon
them. Thus we find that "the far-sighted
wisdom of the Peabody foundation is
now evident in many ways-in growing
interest in libraries and good books, III
80 the development of the 'high.school )
idea into a university. in wonderful
popular interest in scientific lectures, in
classical music, and art in general
Thus the whole community is being lifted
up by these agencies, and it may be
regarded as certain that the elevation so
brought about will be permanent But the
significance of these facts consists in the
lesson they bear to the rich men of Amer.
lea generally. Here, it is made clear,
is the right way in which to invest your
surplus capital. Here is method by
which your names may be preserved for
ages, and become connected in the most
direct and honorable way with the educa-
ton and improvement of your countrymen.
Whose desires to forward civilization and
to hasten the progress of humanity from its
lower stages, can satisfy his ambition in
this way. Peabody and Johns Hopkins,
McDonogh and Pratt, have acted as pio-
nsers. They have shown how it is possible
to elevate whole community by agencies
which are at the same time capable of ben
citing the entire country. And in these
days of colossal fortunes how many men
there are who possess the ability to do
this. 1t is perhaps not often that one ben
efaction dovetails oadmirably with another
as in Baltimore, but such arrangements are
always possible if those who are willing to
be liberal will confer with one another.
When will the Pacific coast possess such
noble and Invaluable possessions as her gen.
erous and far-seeing citizens have conferred
upon Baltimore? The Lick requests con-
stituted beginning which from unex-
planned reasons seems to become more and
more shadowy. Where are the libraries
and universities created by private munif-
cence, however, among us? They may
come in the future, but there is thus far
not much earnest of their advent