The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-01-08

Senate bill No. TO- Tor the establishment OF the
Smithsonian Institute, came up for consideration,
when
MIR. CHOATE arose and entered into very
lengthy and leaTnTd argument showing that the basis
upon which the bill before the Senate Rested and
offered by the Senator from Ohio (Mr Tsppan) was
not such as the iestator contemplated, sind one
which would answer the ends la view. The OBJ
joct dhuse light and knowledge among men
by the establishment Of library In which would be
contained all the elements Of tIuth-all that great
and grand IN the history OF every naiiona great 81.
lent, but not dead instructor Of The human mind
How many books have The youth OF The United
States for their Improvement Only 5O,OOO-sl-
though there may be 2,OO0,OOO in the eounlTy--but
still II Is not than that lumber, because they are
printed over and over again. The young American
mind Is anxious 10 make all investigation into
some important subject either on literature
OF science. lie sits down; but before he
proceeds far in this investigation, he has 10
stop short for the want Of some book which cannot
be had this side of Leipsic or Madnd. Bring the
same means within reach which guide the labors
and interests OF England and the effect Of this libra
~ would give an impulse in these matters which
would put us on an equal footing with England
la this mode Of expenditure mere is no room for
abuse. All you want is a Toom-a hbfarian-a little
fnng. There is plain brick buIlding-an agent 10
buy books and then the world is yours-is yours The
plain OF his friend Mr. Tappan) Is not needed be-
cause there are colleges enough in the Saes, but
here would be national institute indeed the great
first want Of the country. When a person gets on
railroad in a few days they would find every book
10 the hands exclusively Of contemporary Gov
ernments Let the soarcher after the truth come to
Washington, and he will lose nothing in his inquiries
after transcendent truths and then let him go back
10 his State, and make ten thousand distributions
among his fellow-citIzens through the press he
choose, Of the knowledge thus acquired and the be-
eft Of this institution will be felt Somebody some
time ago, said that great library mouds all minds
into one, and tended TO make Unionsls Of US all he
would add that this would perhaps have tendency
10 keep certain Republic longer together than what
II might under other circumstances. Now, sir, let
me hope that | shall hear II said no more in this as
semby that such expenditure, in this way,
will only tend 10 benefit the few. 1 hope
not to hear such a sentiment in this body His idea
Of such an expenditure is certainly the best. Think
OF all those who will here IN the course OF time
TO read and udy-they will come here To light a
torch which shall give light to others. Who was
that old king that put the front Of his library this
is the "dispensary Of the soul7" | would rather
said Mr.. C., put on il the fOunt and foundation Of
the light of liberty" After concluding his eloquent
address, of which the above is bot an imperfect
sketch, he offered an amendment moving the clause
providing for the professorshp 10y striking out the
9Th section from the billy and the appropriation Of
given sum for the purchase of books and MANUSCRIPT
Mr.. TAPPAN was replying 10 Mr. c. when our
Reporerleh