The two men apologized to each other in private for the vehemence of their remarks and publicly tried to smooth over their differences. Members of the scientific community, however, recognized the significance of what had transpired. Henry also recognized its importance. He emerged from the debate with Douglas with renewed self-confidence in his interpretation of James Smithson's intent, in the correctness of his program, and in the ultimate ineffectualness of attacks upon him and his program. Later that year, Henry provided another defense of basic research, expanding upon his remarks to Douglas.
Nothing is isolated.
The discovery of to-day, which appears unconnected with any useful process, may, in the course of a few years, become the fruitful source of a thousand inventions. For more than thirty years, Henry insisted that basic research was of fundamental importance to American society, rather than a luxury. Perhaps that insistence is Henry's greatest legacy to succeeding generations.