The record-union., 1891-11-07
BROAD PHILANTHROPY.
c. P. HuntingtOn's Gift to the
People of Westchester.
Dedication Of Beautiful and Costly
Library Building, Which He Pre-
sents TO the Young People-Free to
All CIasses-A Notable Event IN old
Westchester.

W9SIcnSSLGr.
Westchester is town in Westchester
County, State of New York. 1t is one OF
the very old towns of the Empire State.
About two and a half miles from the
town G. p. Huntington owns beautiful
place known as 1.-THE Homestead" Some
time ago he conceived the idea of giving to
the town near by handsome library and
reading-room building, that such an in
stitution might exercise a beneficent in
duence upon young men especially, and
remove the excuse of those who have no
home and no proper place in which to
spend their evenings.
He wisely concluded that the safest of
companions are good books; they never
desert; they are so diverse that one can
be had, even in most modest libraries, to
suit any reasonable mood or respond to
any special and worthy longing; to solace
and to comfort; to fire and stir with noble
TO compose the mind to peace-indeed,
resolves; to instruct and enlarge ones
knowledge; to respond to specialinquiry
good books are never-failing sources OF
comfort and OF instruction.
Thus thinking, he resolved to cary out
his idea, and therefore erected a beauti-
ful, spacious library building and stored
it well with shelves rich with the record
Of thought and genius, and on the 18th OF
October he turned it over to Board OF
Trustees for the benefit of all the people,
regardless of creed or nationality.
The rules require the library building
to be open every day; noise and loud
conversation are forbidden in it; tobacco
cannot be used in the building; no books
can be taken away from the rooms, and
the privilege of the building is denied
those who misuse books or monopoliZe
particular papers and magazines in the
reading-room. Beside the fine store oi
good books, the leading papers, reviews
and magazines of the day are supplied to
the reading-room. No ticket of admis-
sion is required, and the beautiful build
ing is absolutely free and its privileges
are open to rich or poor, old and young,
on precisely equal terms.
On the evening named the spacious edI-
fee was filled by hundreds of the grateful
and well-pleased people of Westchester to
witness the ceremonies of dedication.
They were in keeping with Mr.. Hunting
toms tasteS-simplay free from parade
and effort and consisted simply of inter-
change of thought and congratulation,
in the form of brief addresses.
Mr.. Huntington called the assemblage
W OldCI anu II 4dDOl W IuO
chair, saying as he did SO that he was
glad to welcome the people to the build
ing, and that their manifest interest he
took to be prophetic of the success hoped
for in behalf of the institution.
In taking the chair Mr.. Tabor made a
neat speech, which, with all the others, is
reported in full in the WeStchester hide
quote.
In the course of his remarks, referring
to the rush and clash of the business
world and the strife of Governments and
nations, he said:
We have no jar of discord here; we have no
selfish aims to seek here; we have come to
meet on the common ground of common hui
nanity and mutual respect for this gift for a
common purpose. The Republic of Letters is
worldwide, and the romances of Russia sleep
side by side with the novels of Walter Scott.
The thoughts of the poets of Europe and Eng
. land sound in perfect harmony as they breathe
from the Tyre. All is peace and quietness in
the world where we would unite tonight The
very room itself is quietnesS and repose
There is no single brick in these walls that has
selfish aim or purpose; each one standing
there honestly trying to do its business, to fill
its place in upholding the structure. We are
all here, therefore, in a pleasant place, in a
pleasant hour for pleasant purpose, and we
turn with gratitude TO this friend who has
given US this opportunity. Applause We
turn TO him for further Illustration of his
aims and purposes In regard to this institu-
tion.
Thus called out, Mr.. Huntington re-
sponded in this graceful, direct and heart
ful address:
Ny Friends Of the Tolon of Westchester: l
have asked you to come here tonight TO take
part in the opening of this library and read
1ng-room for public use. am not accustomed
TO speaking In public and scarcely know what
TO say that Will be suitable, but l suppose the
people of Westchester expect me to say few
words on this occasion.
I ha oft civ Too, 10
chester TO spend my summers, that in a town
where there are so many young people there
should be some place where they could spend
their leisure hours in reading and playing in
nocent games, Tor believe that leisure time
spend in this way would tend to make them
better and happier.
may desire to enjoy its advantages; but it will
no doubt be used mostly by the young, who
have neither libraries or reading-rooms. and
perhaps by some who have not even a home
of their own. / shall therefore direct nv re-
marks mainly TO the young people.
have been in business for many years, and
have been reasonably successful, as l think
nearly all will be whose rules of life are as few
and simple as mine have been. My life. with
lis long and varied experiences, is mostly be-
hind me. and ii is from the knowledge gained
by experience that 1 can speak to the young
who have seen but little of the world and have
81 long journey before them, with many Yicis-
Sttudes.
hope that the young people of Westches-
ter who are here tonight viii come here
as often as they can, and that they will
enjoy coming so much that they will bring
heir friends with them.
hope and ask that you will all cultivate q
spirit of kindliness one for another, each be-
ing ready at all times to do his or her part so
that the greatest amount of good and the
least amount of evil may come to those who
spend their leisure hours here. Let each one
care for some one else. and let all be ready to
look after those who have turned into paths
that lead TO harm, and seek with words OF
love and deeds of kindness TO bring them
back. II any should come here who are in
need, ask them kindly what you can do TO
help them.
In no other way can the very atmosphere
which surrounds this place be such that it
Will be felt for good by ali who come within
the circle of its influence.
You must keep in mind that these good re-
suits can be secured only by persistent effort
patiently continued in weIl-doing, otherwise
you may be discouraged in the very begin
ming OF your work.
Let me urge upon you the importance OF
choosing the right path early in life A wrong
beginning is almost sure TO result in wrong
ending. II is not difficult for any one TO know
the ways that are right from those that are
wrong, for the lines are clearly drawn, and
success are few.
Let me urge the careful use of your time To
most OF you, your time is your capital. This
is a wise old Inaxims Take care of the pence
and the pounds viii take care OF themselves y
II is equally wise TO say: Take care of the
minutes and the days viii take care OF them
selves" In the improvement OF your time
care should be taken to lay up something for
the seasons that come and bring no harvest,
Tor such seasons come to all. Learn TO live on
q little less than you earn, and thus always
have balance in the bank. This viii add