The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-24
WHICH WILL YOU Do?
The Question Is: 4Will You
Dream or Will You Read p
AN ALTERNATIVE PRESENTED.
Colonel James HAMILTON Lewis Enter
tanning lecture AZ Turn Hall The
afer Last Night.

Colonel james Hamilton Lewis delivered
q very entertaining lecture last evening IN
Turner hall. on the subject VIII fou
Read, or VIII You Dream p for the benefit
OF the Mechanics free reading room at the
corner of Third and Seneca streets. He
spoke in substance as follows:
The subject sought By this lecture Is q
laudable one. one commended By all. The
establishment of libraries. the dissemina-
ton Of knowledge, Is essentially the only
solution of the vexatious problems OF
political ard social life that threaten Us.
Such knowledge can be obtained By the
public Libraries OF the country. The first
public library was in Athens and was
founded by Pisistratus, while the first
Roman libraries were founded by
Luceullus and Polio. The downfall Of
the Western and subsequently, the Eastern
empires destroyed the ancient libraries.
but even in the darkest of the Dark Ages
the lamp OF learning continued 70 shine
feebiy vet steadily. In the monastries the
books found q safe asylum.
He here named number of the libraries
worthy OF note in the Middle Ages, the ma
tionaI library OF France, Italy. Fiorenee,
Rome, Vienna and other noted cities Fol-
lowing these he named the notable IL
braries of the United States, giving the
number of volumes.
There have. " said Colonel Lewis, "been
fex general libraries TO which the ordinary
man Of daily pursuits could feel himself 4
welcome visitor, until that established by
Peter Cooper in New York city, Cooper's
institute. which has been an educator of
the poor Of that state, and especially Of the
laboring men. The fault of the Libraries
seems 70 be in having too many volumes
OF ancient lore and classic learning, while
the every day. practical sugge stion which
should be found in the cover lid and which
is necessary to the true existence of those
who must read and cannet dream are alb
sent
The struggle for wealth blinded men to
the beauties and benefits of education by
reading. Members OF ali avocaiions write
briefly on various subjects, poetical and
prose. but il requires men fitted 10 answer
the grave questions that confront us day
by day.
Men must sooner or later learn that We
are drifting TO period in the history OF
orr government which will call for serious
action, in order that we shall preserve the
purity of our institutions and the freedom
OF our government The amassing OF
wealth cannot long be the highest aim and
end OF government; nor can men long sur
yive whose only end, aim and object is an
effcte existence. Wealth out of the mis-
cries of others, and existence only out of
the indulgence OF suffering, cannot long
continue
Men must be on eqnal terms to hope
for mutual benefit. National progress is
not always an evidence of national pros
perity, nor does great industrial progress
always imply corresponding happiness
among those who develop it. II negro
slavery was an unjust oppression To the
South IL behooves US 70 learn wisdom from
the suppression of that institution. The
instructions Of then win meet day by day
parallel in now. We cannot safely read
of the misery that was under one, and
placidly dream Of the delights that are had
By the other, when the sources are the
same and so akin. .
Mr.. Lewis pictured the contention and
danger at present in the country, and amid
II all the great American heart standing
fast by the challenge of his conscience,
tranquil and resolute.
And what are we doing?p he said. Are
you reading the signs OF the times as they
appear glimering like the lightning, or are
you. not needing the weight OF these forces
that confront you-dreaniing the dream Of
some modern Utopiast. in hope that sorae
solution by some one other than yourself
will successfully defend the threatened
peace of your existence and cement closely
the loosening bonds of union in your in
stitutions2"
Who shall rally the people to the de-
Tense of their liberties? | say II must be
you. You, who are the pillars OF the gov
eminent You must be equipped for this
emergency. The organization OF trades
unions, and the combinations OF civic
societies can avail you but little in
that hour when all the ener-
gies OF close and skiiitul thought
will be called into play 10
combat the combined effort OF powerful
minds enirsnehed behind an armor of
wealth. You must study TIE dangers that
heset you and he able 10 meet them by the
power OF your minds, and not by the
strength Of your physical force"
The speaker reminded his hearers that
the hand was nothing compared 10 the
brain, and he declared that physical prov
ess had had It's say. lie also paid tribute
20 science.
Learning IS supreme aud you are its
profits. /; is for you 20 say whether the
tremendous force Of this republic shall be
kept in fierce, whether e00oa 100 peopie are
capable OF seif-Eoyernment. or whether lib
erty shall be lost to those who gave their
lives TO maintain it,
"one Of the ansnislakahle dangers which
thTg aten the very government OF America
is Capitalization. It's delusion tennis the
poor and the avaricious. It's rover in
flames the partisan. The merchant seeks
70 gain and control the arteries of trade;
The manufacturer asks that his products
Dc protected the rich AK for an army.
and the INDECENT fer help There are some
men who rejoice in this. and contend that
the center st government IS tue true rep7e-
sentative OF power and the source of
knowledge
Ne man can know ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in
this country Of the money power and the
riches OF the wealthy. without feeling that
the time Is approaching when the issues of
the flatocracleS will he forced 10 trial
The middle classes have been ana are nov
beng fast swept away. There are but two
classes existing among rs now-ose. Ike
princes who greAd the earth. and the others
who are tread upon.
Peace and eoatentment found theEr az.
issence IN the middle classes and sxtenaea
fta hand on either side 70 the Guile yieh
ard very peor. All now are gone. The
peace Ok the hama!e home i DESTROYED -,
the mad rush FOR wealth
TIE seeds Of laxary sown in this slnay,ge
rupaesie have mex surpassed thar ~ Rome
arA tae svsaafsfsr AZ fhN fEl.S Vs-.,.4,4 -