Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-12-08

Daily Argus, Friday.
The North Carolina Library Asso-
citation convened in this city yesterday
afternoon, under the auspices of the
Goldsboro Public Library, and in the |
Woman's Club rooms, by courtesy of
tnat public-spirited organization that
has done so much for Goldsboro's up
lift, and wearies not in well-doing
The afternoon session was devoted
to formal routine business, such as
reading of minutes of last annual
meeting, reports of officers and ccEl-
mittees, and the appointment Of COM
mittees.
At $3.50 o'clock last night most
interesting, entertaining and instr,lc-
tive program was inaugurated, and
every moment of the entire evening
was one of unalloyed enjoyment alike
for the delegates and the large and
elite audience.
| The evenings program opened With
a delightful solo by Mrs. WINS. SDicer.
Then Col. JOS. e. Robinson, for the
local Library Association, welcomed
the delegates of the State Association,
and the response on the part Of the
State Association was made in we'll
chosen words and cordial manner by
Mr.. ]. P. Breedlove, librarian of Trim
ity College.
Miss Pearl Brinson, with her sister
Mis- Hattie as piano accompanisL, then
sang a solo of infinite sweetness.
Miss Annie Petty, of Greensboro
the State president, who was presid-
ing, then presented Mrs. Annie S
Ross, of Charlotte, who in most
charming manner presented Mr.. w. G.
Jackson, professor of history at the
Greensboro State Normal, who from
mis- first utterance to his thrilling
close held his audience spell-bouno
and as we are fortunate enough to pe
able to give the full text of his address
any attempt on our part to laud i.
would be like endeavoring to pain
the lily or gild refined gold.' H.
spoke as follows:
Madame President, Members of the
North Carolina Library Association
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is difficult thing for an outside
to say anything of value to people en-
gagged in special calling or profes
sion. My presence here this evening"
therefore, is not due to my knowleoe~
Of any of the technicalities of YOU
/ ooI or nafoInOin0 hin6l1lI
distributing books; dealing with trus
tees, patrons, clubs, and the commun.
ty at large-but it is due solely to L
TACT that am an appreciatlve ou
slder-that l am one of large nun
GER of the beneficiaries of your pa,
| ronage, and that as layman l al
here to bear testimony to your distl4-
guished services, and discuss with yo
the character of this institution, wnie-
means SO much to us all.
The modern library is new factoE
n our civilization. l can scarce
agree with Professor Trent that 1t i
one of the four institutions that ma.
% fairly said to form the corners Q.
me foundation of modern civiliza
lion." To say that it is on an equa
footing with the church, the courts @
law, and the school, is to place it, .
yet, / believe, rather too high. 4e
L would not underestimate its signi1-
canoe. Its growth in recent years
nothing less than marvellous. Tn
| irst free library in this country wa.
opened in Boston in 1852. Today the
cover the land in a perfect netwol
If powerful intellectual centers. The.
lave practically covered all the teri
oory extant, and most attention is nov
: centered on the actual work that IL
library does. Princely gifts of pr
vate philanthropists, the initiative an
s cooperation of municipalities, club
Isocieties, and business organization
{ have added strength unto strength an
j. conquest unto conquest until there ar
< few more worlds to conquer. The l.
G brary's significance is attested by it
y universality and by its Importance j
S the community. Eve expect to fin
b the library building in every city an
II town NJ much rs to find the spire {
the church or the flag of the schot
house. The visitor to Boston toda
q finds the public library as command
: ing pile as Trinity Church, and fa
more imposing than any school hous
The visitor to New York finds the ne
!: public library buildings climbing int
: a mass and dignity as great as that :
d any cathedral. No smallest village
i. now complete without its library, an
when some future Goldsmith shal
J. sing the praise of another deserte
village, he will point out not only tn
: noisy mansion" Of the schoolmaste'
not only the church adorned with tn