The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-22
WORK UP THE LIBRARY
AN APPEAL TO ORGANIZE FOR POP
uLAR INSCRIPTIONS.
President Cleveland Hold Up rs an Ex-
ample OF What Close Study and Re
Election, When Properly Directed.
Can Accomplish.

A lull has set In on the public library
enterprise, which the general public does
not understand. II IL known, OF course,
that the muniGcent bequcst OF Mr.. Cossitt
b occurred, "a no conditions were imposed.
Il IL sriso known that Legislative enact
nent Is necessary 10 enable the Taxing
District TO accept II, and /, Is further known
hat the sum OF $4,000 Is insufficient to
create library such "a q growing and
vigorous city like Memphis could and
should have. One progressive aud well.
lo-do busiucss man promptly proposed TO
be one Of twenty-five 20 add 1000 each 10
The sum, but no further responses have
been heard. II an organization could be
effected 10 solicit aud receive popular sub
nriplions, almost any amount necessary
could soon be- raised. The board OF trus-
tees sci apart 10 control the trust might
properly take the lead in such an effort.
III a conversation ON the library sub
icci Yesterday. Mr.. John A. Fleece said 10
M ArrrAt reporter
''On the presumption that the library is
now an established TACT, some reflections
on the utility OF such an institution would
no, be inappropriate. A proper discus.
= rion u this subject embraces within its
scope some general thoughts upon the
subject Of education. | dill not have the
pleasure Of hearing the lectures II Prof.
Vincent. Recently delivered In this city,
but from the Newspaper Upors Of the
famc, ! was very much clnied aud graft.
fed. This gentleman, distinguished as
being ai the head OF the most extensive
and efficient literary and scientific circle
IN the country. CXpn'sscd some ideas upon
the subject Ol education which, although
greatly differing from these generally ac-
copied. fully accorded with ideas and
notions that | have long entertained.
However important our colleges aud SEM
inafics M aids In the attainment Of an cdu.
cation, they am not absolutely essential,
and an education sufficient for all prRcti
cal purposes Il within the reach oi all.
who will diligently and judiciously MAKE
uao OF all the means afforded by the ex
tcnsivo circulation and distribution o
newspapers, magazines, periodicals an,
books peculiar 10 the aye In which VI
now live"
"Thcn you are Of the class who below
that education IN nothing more tina
knowledge In the Possession OF one who's
mind IA 20 trained by study aud relle'
ton that this knowledge may be used
the bcst adyaniagVg'
81 most assurcdly am, and from VIII
source, l would AJAX, can useful knowledl
be moro rapidly gained than from u
careful and jndicious reading OF new
papers, magazines, periodicals aud boo
that freely and ably discuss every suhje
within the range of human conception
Prof Vincent, In his recent lecture, NJ
that any man or woman, even at the n
OF fony-fivc year. may, by careful NJ
select reading few hours each day, ed
cate themselves la n few years aud
this opinion | most heartily concu
Many people here doubtless rcmemb
nm account oi an important annual me,
ing Of The officers Of Yale college he
about two years ago and extensively pa
ishcd by the newspapers ut that tim
There were present at this meeting maI
eminent presidents and professors Of C
legs, many oi the alumni Of the inHtit
ton, and other gentlemen Of dis,inctio
among whom was the prc-emincntly 4
tnguishod President Of the United STAT
Grover Cleveland. Mr.. Cleveland v
there by special invitation, and was 3,
dcrcd by the college the degree Of IL.
or A. H.. do not now remember whi'
Mr.. Cleveland very promptly dcclir