Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-09
A GREAT orponrUNrrY-sr,zr u


Mr.. Nash has written desiring to know
how his proposition to contribute S25, 900 to
Memphis as a means of starting a public
library is received. He is DESTROYS that the
$4,000 to put up building TO receive the
books shall at once be subscribed, so that no
time may be lost in securing to Memphis
library whose value will be inestimable as
means of spreading knowledge, cultivating
talent and banishing ignorance. Without a
family, and possessed of wealth, he wishes
to divert a portion Of his property to the use
and benefit of as many of his fellow-citizens
as possible. What distinguishes his gene
rosity is that he is willing to give what he
contemplates giving now-not procrastinate
until his death shall make bequest availa-
ble-so that he may witness the good done
and help actively, beside his princely con-
tribution, to the doing of it. We regret to
learn that the noble liberality Ct Mr.. Nash
appears to have failed to arouse, as yet, a
corresponding spirit on the part of those
who, with their children and their child
ren's children, will profit by it. Only
hall the sum required for the build
ing necessary to receive the books has been
secured, and when May comes and Memphis
people have failed to close with the munif
cent offer made to the city, that offer will be
carried elsewhere to the disgrace OF this city
Here is good offer made frankly and gem
erously TO our people; here is an opportunity
to establish an institution which will make
our people more successful as merchants and
manufacturers, more intelligent as citizens,
and aid tAem to put their talent to good use.
Can Memphis afford to cast away with indif-
ference an opportunity so rarely within the
reach of any community? Twenty-Five thou
sand dollars, and with so noble purpose to
be accomplished by its means, is too much
TO be spurned, despised or neglected. Has
not Memphis lost enough already by neg
Letting to avail itself of opportunities? The
Iron Mountain railroad wanted to come to
Memphis in preference TO Belmont, but
Memphis sat supine, making no effort, and
what would have been a rich contributor to
our trale, takes trade away from us. OF
other things similar remarks might
be made. Memphis has suffered from mex
cusable neglect of opportunity, let us not have
another cause for sslf-reproach. We call
upon our merchants, wholesale and retailers !;
our lawyers, doctors and divines to ask
themselves whether they are not laying
themselves open to just reproach for want of
public spirit? We call upon our people not
to repulse the noble offer made by Mr.. n ash,
but to let one of the committee know without
delay how much they will subscribe The
committee are Messrs. ]. T. Fargason, S. II.
Brooks, John Overton, ir, r. B. Snowder,
Louis Hsnauer, A. Vaccaro, n. Fontainc,
NJ. L. Meacham, J. f. Frank, w. w. Good
win, ID. T. Porter, Z. Lowenstein and NJ
Gavin. There is no politics, no sectarian-
ism, no narrow-spiritedness in any way, as
the composition of the committee shows.
Let there be no delay, but let US have
library that will be pride and treasure
10 the city; and let us put it in building
that we can take pleasure in conducting
our friends to. Give any one of the commit
teemen your name and your sum.