Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-26
THE NASH LIBRARY.
An appeal from the Trustees TO the
People of Memphis Urging Sub
scriptiOns and Cooperation
In Their Effort 10 Secure the Very
Liberal Offer of the Cincinnati
PhilanthrOpist.
10 The Editors Of the Appeal

Much has been said anG published in a
general way 10 the establishment OF a
public library in this city, and IN this con-
necsiOn mention has been made OF the mu-
niicent offer Of Mr.. Job Nj. Nash TO endOw
with money, books and works OF art any
library a isfactorily s-ablished. As trus-
tees appointed by Mr.. Nash TO secure the
establishment Of such a library and to re-
ceive his liberal endowment, We desire
through your columns to speak to the people
of Memphis in behalf OF this enterprise. II
Il our purpose at once to make direct per-
sOnal application 10 every citizen OF Mem
phis who has the permanent prosperity OF
the city at heart, and who can contribute in
the least degree 10 this advancement Of the
intellectual aud moral character Of The COM
munity, and to urge upon all Its Importance
and benefits, and as preparatory TO such ap-
pliCatiOn desire to impress upon every
one the truth that nor Is the time To accom-
plish this most magnificent improvement OF
the city and OF its people Mr.. Nash has
made offers so generous that they may be
said to be almost without limit In their
scope, and has, with most patient indulgence,
waited for the trustees he has chosen TO
perform the conditions OF his promises.
Now. having other generous schemes before
him, he very properly calls uFon Us in
short time 10 either accept CT decline his
most liberal offers. We feel that to be com
PEELED to decline, Tor inability 10 comply
| with the reasonable conditions attached to
| the gift would be 10 this entire community
lasting shame and source OF modification.
| Mr.. Nash fixes most reasonable condition
| as precedent 10 the delivery OF his proposed
| endowment, viz: that We Of the city OF Mem
| phis shall purchase the lot and erect n suita-
| BILE building Tor the library. To accomplish
! this condition it will be requisite Tor the
| citizens OF Memphis to subscribe and con-
| tribute q sum sufficient to purchase a lot and
] Il, lrrGGl fl,ar 1e # 80
a minimum sum which will accomplish
| this, but it is with US all to say how much
! more than a mere minimum sum We wall
contribute. The more liberal we are
! ourselves and the more magnificent pro-
vision We make to receive the gift OF
! Mr.. Nash, the more liberal will he
| be, and the larger will be his endowment
We may cay, further, that We have strong as
surances from others that ii proper spirit
! of appreciation of the enterprise is evinced
! by the people of Memphis in the contribu-
! tions made by them, further large and mag
| nifcent endOwmenis will be added, which
will make our proposed library and art gal
! lery a truly magnificent addition to our city.
| II would scarcely be proper for US to ask
| space TO enlarge upon the benefits and great
! advantages Of public library. These ben
| efits cannot it is true, be estimated in dol
! lars. But the mental advancement and in
| provement of the community has i direct
! and most beneficial effect upon the CONNER
! cial and mechanical interests of all who
compose it; and a well-estab!ished public Ii
| brary is, in this way, a most valuable addI-
ton to the wealth of the people, as well as
| immeasurably valuable in promoting their
mental and moral growth, with the thou
| sand incidental benefits ensuing. In couciu
sion, We may say to our fellow citizens, OF
every class, that from personal experience,
approaching the Impoverished condition OF
our entire city and the many misfortunes
that we have as a community suffered, We,
nevertheless, urge upon them all to make
every exertion and try every means TO add
something to a fund Tor this public and
most benevolent purpose. a temporary pri-
walton will be amply repaid by the many
and lasting benefits to be derived from an in
stitution such that proposed, and one that
is for the common good of all alike. Very
respectfully,