Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-29
A MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL
WORK w
Felt in a Growing City Like
Memphis.

The following from the Nashville
American applies equally as well, per-
haps even more forcibly, to Memphis,
and it is quite in line with the efforts
being made to secure the Nash
library. Every thoughtful man and
woman will quite agree with the SEN
timents here expressed
A gentleman, minister of the Cos
pei, once resident Of Nashville, and
revisiting here, lately remarked, after
some time spent driving about the
city and suburbs, that though greatly
impressed with Nashville's growth and
the improved style and extent of
buildings that now fill lots vacant st
the time he left, and a noticeable ac-
tivity and vigor in the general move.
ment along the streets; also that hun
dreds of small cottages had been
erected, evidently to supply homes to
prosperous mechanics and thrifty la.
borers, notes also that one thing is
lacking, one great need untitled. BE
referred to the absence of any decent
resort for this last class of men when
through with the work that comes
with each recurring day.
This is forcible and true. 1t is un-
reasonable and mischisvous to augur
that every man with home has all
he needs or wants. And it is gross
ignorance Or a willful blindness that
does not appreciate the need Of socia-
BILE intercourse between men Of all
classes. Clerks about town assemble
in the rotunda Of the Maxwell, where
the interchange Of pleasant talk this
opportunity affords them, breaks the
monotony Of their every day work.
Men of means and refined tastes sur.
round themselves with so many COM
forts that home is to them quantum
suficit of rest and relaxation. To
the class of men to which the rever.
end gentleman refers, there is the
corner grocery and nothing more. In
finite harm grows out Of this. There
is not only the direct evil Of it. but
there is the good that is kept of, and
by the good is meant that softening Of
a rough nature, the tanning Of violent
instincts, and the gradual approach to-
the quiet dignity of an intelligent
mind which different influences bring
This can be done with the
application of proper agencies -estab-
fish libraries and lecture rooms. The
Watkins Institute promises much in
this direction, and suitable lyceum
building for the Young Mems Christ
ian Association, centrally located,
could do its share. Men Of influence
and means, who are alive to NashvilIe's
progress, could accomplish great pub
lie benefits in this inviting field.
There is class OF mechanics in this
city, men Of brains and active minds,
constant readers of daily papers and
books that cover no mean range OF
thought, men who are settled in life,
surrounded with growing children, for
whose failure they are anxious and
ambitious sober minded men, who
feel the need at times Of a wider
association, who should have oppor-
tuuities for contact with men whose
superior advantages would reflect upon
them with good result. We are not
sufficiently alive to this thing. The
late Mr.. Watkins was a man devel-
Oped from this class. He knew its
needs He often spoke of it, and those
who knew him best knew his heart
warmed toward the class he never re-
pudisted in his days of ease. He
cherished hope, and nourished the
resolve, to give back to the source
from whence his fortune took its
growth a part Of his accumulatious
He knew how difficult thing this
project might prove to be; he thought
long over it; observed the WORKINGS Of
this thing in other places, and wher
be died he thought he had hit upon .
plan. That it was imperiectly con
ceived, his trustees themselves admit
but imperfect as it is. it may be turneC
into source OF unquestionable assist
ance to the artizans OF this community
Their number is large, the field i
large, the promise great.
PUBLIu LEDGER bindery and joI