Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-07
order, win certainly no. tend to make him

| order, will certainly not tend 10 make him
maefui momber Of society.
me man who devotes himself TO the
naSu literature now much too common
WI, instead OF increasing his value as
y,uzon. almost surely degenerate in his
ideas OF public duty. aud grow dull in .his
appreciation Of tho obligations no owes his
| country.
=, In both these cases thcre will be loss 10
the state. There Is canger also that q
positive and aggressive injury 10 tho com.
| munity viii result; and such readers will
certainly suffer deprivation Of the happi.
ness and contentment which arc the fruits
OF improving study and well-regulated
| thought
So too. the young woman who seeks re-.
creation and entertainment in reading dlly
aud frivolous books, often OF doubtful
moral tendency, Is herself in the way OF
becoming frivolous aud silly, If not OF
weak morality. II she escapes this latter
! condition she y almost certain 10 become
utterly untitled TO bear patiently the bur.
[ den OF self-support OF 90 assume the sacred
/ duties Of wife and mother.
Contemplating these truths, no one can
doubt The importance of securing FOR
I those who road. as far as iii in our power.
[ facilities for the study ard reading Of such
7 books as will instruct and innocently en-.
tor.ain, and which will at the same time
improve and correct the tastes and de-
fires.
There is another thought somewhat IN
advance OF those already suggested. which
should not pass unnoticed.
INVENTIVE AND PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT.
As an outgrowth Of the inventive and
/ progressive spirit OF our people, we have
among Ia iegiOus of men. and women too
. fEfr 4...a
( knowledge Of the new forces and agencies
/ which at this time are being constantly
[ dragged from their lurhDg-places and
/ subjected % the Use Of man. Those earn.
[ est lnQurcrs should all be gwen q chance
( and have Tut within their reach such
/ books a. Will guide and inspire their efforts
7 II by THIS means the country shall gain e.
/ itself q new inventor OF be the patron OF
/ oudeayor which shall add new elements to
/ the sum Of human happiness and comfort,
Its Intervention will be we'll repaid.
/ These considerations and the fact that
many among us having the ability and in.
Z cliuatl0n TO read are unable 20 furnish
| themselves with profitable and wholesome
/ books amply justify tho b0nehcent mission
/ Of our frce-c.rCulating library 1t plan
/ and operation. so exactly adjusted TO meet
situation which cannot safely be ignored
and % wants which ought not TO be
| neglected establish its claim upon tho
/ encouragement and reasonable aid Of the
| public authorities and commend ii most
/ fully 20 the support and generosity Of prl-
/ waite benefaction.
The development which this good work
/ has already reached IN our city has *.
/ hibitcd the broad field yet remaining nm.
/ touched and the lnadcQuacy OF present
| operations. II has brought 70 view also
instances Of noble individual philanthropy
| and disintcrcstcd private effort and contri-
| button.
| 5nt 1t certainly seems that the time and
money directed 10 this object arc confined
| 10 % circle Of persons tar too barrow, and
/ that the public encouragement and aid
! have been greatly disprOpOrtiOned to pr.
| yntc cndcayOr.
| The utv Of New York has mover shown
| herself willing 10 be behind other cities III
such work as is done 10y our Free Crcu.
/ latiuE Library. and while her people ar,
much oneros-cd in business activity and
! enterprise they have never yot turned away
! from a cause once demonstrated 10 them 20
/ De so worthy and useful a. this.
! Tho demonstration IS at hand. Let 1t bC
pro sed upon our fcllow-citizens, and let
/ them boo shown the practical operation OF
! the project yOu have in hand and the good
/ IL las accomplished, and the further good
/ of which % is capable through their III
! creased lheralty, aud II Will be strange Il
| they fail 10 respond generously 10 your ap-
! peal 10 put the city OF New York IN the
| front rank Of the cities which have recog-
| mzrd the usefulness Of free circulating
! Libraries.
The other speakers were Joseph r.
! Choatc. Henry J.. Rowland, and President
Lowe. of Columbia College.