The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-09
he Worn@ns Page Of The Tiirmes-Dispatch
A ublic Library

From tho far frontier OF the Common
Council comes word that resolution
has been offered fr- tho establishments
of Il public library In Richmond in
The letter Memorial Hall, now u part
of Richmond College. 1t is joyful
news, indeed. All the needs and wishes
Of the people Of this city for such :,
library upon such "a site have been
aired and rc-aircd many times before
the public, but there have been many
deaf ears. and :; host Of disintcr.s'.n
folk have long scoffed 1T the idea
while those who might read ran
streets.
There is small use to I'll space wi,h
statistics ana figures, but. oh. passcr by,
viii sou not heed tho call Of the
schrcher after truth and the deliver
INTO the realities OF life, placing your
small oar into tho deep water OF i,d-
verse opinion that must he travcrscd?
II is n great ship ~ knowledge ana
power that We would launch upon this
sea OF opposition. and II is laden with
better citizenship higher ideals and :,
broader vision for he man and tho
woman or The harb0i Ia which * MAJ
ind anchorage All the strength ami
aid OF every dwcller within our walls
is needed 10 make this great undertak-
ing a reality. Don't you remember tho
story OF the man who would build his
friends? Ono came ana dug tho foun-
datious amt another laid the bricks
and yet another completed the wood
work and beams. and on until the
structure was wrought Each had
little 10 give. some had only {, few
hours time, but together. with united
ch'ort tho object was attained The
city OF Richmond is crying with out
stretched hands for this instrument OF
greater knowledge and wider attain
incnt, and you--you have nails and
n hammer, your nc!ghbor. he has tim
Der and time. are you both working
together for tho rearing of this temple
OF truth from whose halls wisdom and
tho treasures OF all tho world may
people?
Perhaps you have shrugged your
elegant shoulders and laughed TO your
neighbor that you've never read any
thing but "a newspaper in your life:
that being tho extent OF your own
learning. you propose TO content your
fellow -inRr with tho same: perhaps
YOU have learned that "a good book is
truly the ne blood of It's author" and
you know that what he has written
WITH shaking hands out OF the depths
~ his own souls despair. Is there 10
guide another into greener fields, far
from Just such anguish. Why. books
:iro your dear friends. The people
that live between tho covers OF the
thin green books and the small red
ones viii never fan you, never scott
1T you, never pass by on the other
side They come TO meet YOU from
between ycllowed pages with all the
pristine purity Of their fret pcnning
20 sirY OF nylnphs and Eoddcsses and
10 sound the harp OF happiness and
hcckon you on to greater achievement
Thcy are spun OF laughter. hopes and
fears, and down the listening years
they come TO lean against your heart
ana sound the clarion note Of life and
love and duty and service, and with
words Of anger. strength and power
they chidc us, pity w. make tho world
into :: !airor. moro golden habItation.
some OF us have books and Como OF
us have friends who have them. and
others have the means with which TO
procure them. but not ell Oh. we need
this library; the girls and boys OF our
city with eager. yearning faces pressed
against the window pane Of our indif-
ference bcscech us! Ever seeking. ever
striving for the roses TO be culled in
such a waliway, the people OF Rich
Inond ask This boon of their town: ask
that the work and Accomplishment OF
all tho ages past be AT least placed
within the reach OF the cropping fingers
~ those who would know. They stand
and CALL these child minds, Choted
with weeds: these seekers, girdcd and
ready for conquest, and they want the
carpenter with his nails and the man
with his time 10 help them. Passcr-by,
what is concealed beneath your cloak
az self-a bsorption? =; least set the
seal OF your appreciation upon this
sun that shall arise upon the morning
II our day. BRENT WITT.