Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-04-15
Exhibition.

EDITOR CITIZEX:-A very successful
| Literary Society has been N operation
/ during the past winter in the public school
| building at Six Points Butler county.
/ About tif.y members constituted its active
I force, and all Others residing within the
confines of the Six Points district were
elected honorary members. They were
all permitted TO take an active part when
ever they so desired. Some svalled them
selves OF this privilege; Others remained
interested spectators. The Institution
bears the high-sonnding. but appropriate
eognomen, Philsmsthean Literary Society.
The members, by the interest which they
manifested in the proceedings of the SO
ciety. established the fact that the title
which they mad assumed was not mis-
nomer. The curriculum OF the institution
consisted of declamations, select readings,
essays, original orations, and debates.
All this was usually lnteIepersed with
dialogues of humorous OF pathetic char
acter. The performance We're, as a rule,
highly entertaining, edify ing aud instruct
i've The writer hereof had the pleasure
of visiting the Society occasionally as a
spectator, and must say that | was al
ways highly gratltied to witness the ad
vancement in literary attachments made
by its members. All the current and prom
inent questions of the day were a. thor
oughly discussed as time could permit
This interchange of opinions and thought
ID what makes q people intelligent Free,
open, friendly, and tar discussion always
adds a little To TIE solidity of the founda
tion on which the great American RepuD-
lie rests-the Intelligence and education OF
the people No citizen can become too
inte lligent; but he can become, or remain
too ignorant 4 literary society therefore,
not only edueates aud develops the mind
of the young, but it, also, makes the adult
better citizen, and more fully Qualities
him for prop sr discharge OF the duties oi
citizenship devolving upon him. | am
most thoroughly convinced that 1t would
add very materially to the security and
perpelulty OF this republican government
IT every public school throughout this
broad land had a lit rary society, a. an
auxiliary institution, IN connection there
with. Such An establishment should Oe, Il hes-
itate not to-day, c-e- ed and sustained by
force OF law. If were member OF the
Legislature of Pennsy lvania, among my
| first acts would be the introduction of
| bill to that effect The Philomthean Lit
erary Society to which / have here referred
gave public exhibition in the Brick
| Church, at six Points, ia Allegheny twp,
| on last Thursday evening, the 9TH instant,
| which was attended by a very large and
| appreciarive audience 1t Is very credlta
| bic to the people of Allegheny township
that they take such a deep interest IN
such affairs. Standing room was at
premium. A large and commodious stage
had been erected III one end Of the audi
torium of the church, with drop curtain
and all the other paraphernalia necessary
to proper rendition OF dialogues and am
ature theatricles. The church was taste
fully, even arustically decorated with everss
| greens and cutfiowers, for the occasion.
The writer was present by special invita-
ton, and was greatly surprised and pleas
ed with the rich, intellectual feast 10
which he had been invited. As the keep
er OF a restaurant aters 10 the various pal
ates of his patrons, so this Society endeav
ored, with eminent success, to crafty the
diverse, intellectual cravings OF all It's
auditors, from the most grave and solemn
down to the most hilarious. One dialogue
entitled, "Howdy Andy" in which two
| negroes were impersonated, was played
with the special view of amusing the chill
dren present; and, if one can correctly es-
innate frem the exumberance of their
laughter, it did not fall short of It's pur-
pose. They thought it the best perform
ance.
The Misses Blanche Crawford and
| Blanche Miller did themselves proud-tne
former in her salutatory, and the latter III
her valedictory. Miss Libbie Adams, a
young and accomplished elocutionist oi
| Parker, being present, was eourteOusly IN
vited to go on the stage, which she did,
when sne entertained the audieuce with
her faultless rendition of selection ent
tied, "Brier Ruse, receiving, at the close,
hearty applause.
| The performances were interspersed
| axcailaur rOu- IN tha organ. violin.
and cornet. All returned to their homes
highly pleased with their evenings enter
tainment. Much of the success OF the at
fair il due TO the persistent and
and indefatigable efforts put forth by Miss
Minnie Parks, who deserves special men
tiOn here for the interest she manifested IL
organizing the exhibition.
CHOW CHow.
PARKsR's LANDING, PA, Aprli lltn, lo92