Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-25
THE LADIES AND THE LIBRARY.

THE LADIES AND THE LIBRARY.
The ladies Of Memphis, with a spirit
sud earnestnsss that does them the highest
honor, have undertaken 10 save the credit
oil Memphis on & most Important point, by
securing to the city the library offered to it
by Mr.. Nash. That gentleman, with gen.
crosby that commands the profoundest al
miration, offers to Memphis books to the
value OF $4,000, and declares that he shall
rot limit his muni6cepce to the present of
the books alone, but that he will care for
the adjoining of the building ia which the
books are deposited, by ornamenting il with
works OF art. All he asks is that the citi-
Gems, for whose benefit he gives the lisrsry.
shan build structure worthy of it fer its
reception. Fer such an offer to be
refused, for such al opportunity to
supply the youth OF our city with
the means OF mental cultivation TO be ne
lected, would be disgraceful TO Memphis
Imagine young and rising city like this,
with refined ard liberal hearted popula-
ton, not only. without public library, but
actually refusing 10 accept one when ID was
offered! Would it not be shameful for
Memphis to stand before the world of the
Intelligent nineteenth century in the atti-
Iude OF a voluntary and deliberate choice Of
ignorance and mental apathy and intellect
usl inactivity1 What think you, gentlemen
Of leisure, merchants, tradesmen, lawyers
tivines and Property-owners! Whatever
you may think, the ladies, with the intuiiive
Bagacity that belongs to their sex, have, with
their clear glance, taken 10 the situation,
and with noble self devotion have resolved
10 save the city they dwell in from
Ieproach. In i,s frequent articles upon the
library subject, the APPEAL has again and
again called upon the women of Memphis 10
lake part in connection with The subject,
and We rejoice most ardently that they have
now undertaken to do so, for We know there
is no such word ss fail to be heard, now they
are participating in the work that has TO be
done. Besides thsir deep interest in the
reputation OF Memphis, none realize more
than they how important it is when their
fons and daughters return home from school
Ur college that they should have the means
of communing with the best minds of all
ages and chimes, of esrning the lessons of
history, the truths of science, and gainiDg
knowledge from nsErstiyes # travellers, and
cultivation from the resources of poetry and
the elevating influences of literature. They
know, whether men appreciate it or not, that
tor The young men there must be something
mere than cards, cigars and liquor saloons,
and the blandishments of vice; and for
the young women the resource offered BY
books saves from mistaken views Of life and
the imprudences to which empty minds are
liable, and gives the wife that il to be that
Intelligence which lends a charm to the Gre
side that makes home 10 husband and son
The dearest spot on earth. And none feel as
women do how necessary it is that the young
should have the knowledge and the reason
ing power 10 Withstand the skeptical isHu.
snceS of the day; 30 that contrasting the
selid foun iations Of divine truth with the Il.
luIivs vacuity Of shallow denial of truth
they may Escape attacks that leave the ig-
nsrant defenseless. Thoughtful for the repu-
tation OF their fellow citizsns, valuing a.
oae Of ssrth's highest treasures the precious.
ness Of knowledge, and learning with all