The Arkansas banner., 1845-02-26
THE SMITHSONIAN FUND AND A NA-
 TI0NAl. LIBRARY.

of final disposition of the Smithsonian Fund. The proposition submitted by Mir. Choate meets with most universal favor, and will, without doubt, be substantially adopted. It's principal feature is the establishment of National Library. The fund was originally S5O0,0O0, and interest has since accumulated upon 1t to the amount of S20000O. The n- terest annually accruing is $30,000; and this amount, or large portion of 1t, MT. Choate proposes to appropriate to the pur- chase of books, in all departments of litera- ture and science, thus laying the foundation of a National Library which, in the course oi fifteen or twenty years, would become by far the largest aud most valuable in the u. States. His plan also embraces the applo- prlatlon of a small portion of the annually accruing interest to the delivery of lectures at Washington, during the session of Con gross, by gentlemen of the highest character and eminence i'll the various departments of science and literature. Mr. Choate supported his proposition in a speech marked by his characteristic eloquence, and especially dis tinguish by lofty intellectual spirit, too sell dom exhibited even in the halls of the Sen- ate.
 The intention of the magnificent donor, as expressed in his will, was to promote the 'Sinerease and diffusion of knowledge among men;n and it has been already established by the action of Congress that the fund cannot be appropriated 10 establish any school, col lege or academica institute. Difficulties growing out of the interpretation of the will, and differences of opinion as to the most pro- per method of it's disposition, have for many years prevented any eflectual action upon the subject; and the plan of Mir. Choate IS the first that seems likely to unite the judgments of those who have control of the matter 1 The proposition of MT. Tappan of Ohio, to found school for teaching the several bran ches of scence as far as they are applicable to the practical purposes of lie, is liable to many and very serious objections which were urged with great force by Mr. Choate. Be sides its hostility to the decision of Congress in regard to the purposes ot the testator, and It's being founded OH the narrowest eaicua- tons of immediate utility, it could not be made to accomplish the objects at which 1t aims. The expense of attending such a school al Washington would, ofnecessity, put it beyond the reach of all but the wealthy !; and they are not the persons who desire ln- strnction ill practical agriculture.
 The establishment of Library, of the highest character and value, is a ieilctlous conception. The great want of our country lies in this direction We have no lack oi elements of material power, and there Is, i therefore, no necessity of directing legislation to the increase of our wealth. Individual energy, the spirit of our enterprise which IS 1 the most prominent trait III the character oi our people, is certain to push improvements l in agriculture and the practical arts of lie to their highest point But the intellectual re- sources of our people have not received their proper developement. We have mulntudes of colleges and academical schools, which admirably answer the purposes for which they were established, the instruction, of the young into the higher departments of intel leclual culture But we have none ot the ln- struments demanded by the mind in Its loltiei i efforts; no libraries where the historian may find materials for his labors; none ot those oreat collections of books which make Eng l land. and Germany, and France the resort o the learned and laborious literary man from every part of the world.
 s.There is no library now in this country M
 volumes Many there are containing less. =
 But, from the nature ot the case, all have th'
 same works; so that do not know, that o
 all the printed books i'll the world, we hay'
 ill this country more that 50,O0O dlileren
 works. The consequence has been felt ant
 lamented by all our authors and all ou
 scholars. It has been often said that Glib
 bon's History could not have been writer
 here for want of books. suppose that Hal
 lam's MddleAges. and his Introduction to th Literature of Europe could not. lrylng's 70
 lumbus was written in Spain, Wheaton
 Norlhmen was prepared to be wrltlen Il
 Copenhagen See how this inadequate sup
 ply operates An American mlnd kndle with a subject; 1t enters on all investigation v with spirit and with an ability worthy c 7 the most splendid achievement, goes littl s way. finds that dozen books, one book per D haps, is indispensable, which cannot be 'oun l, this side Gotlingne or OXtord; 1t tires oi Tn # pursuit, or abandons it altogether, or subst
 lutes some shallow conjecture for deep an Q accurate research, and there an end.
 ,f "Now there are very many among us' an s every day we shall have more who wonl .e feelngly adopt this language. Place wiihl f their reach tine helps that guide the gcniu s and labors oi Germany and England, ana It d the genius and labors of Germany and Eng n land look to themselves Our learned me " would grow more learned and more abi' s our studies deeper and wider, our mind ltse l. exercised and sharpened the whole eullul r of the community raised and enriched. Tn o Is. indeed, to increase and diiluse knoMiedg e among men,
 '' A prominent feature of this proposition ,r that il appropriates nothing beyond the ann 70 al interest of the fund. While great nailo' e al library k thus growing up m the course
 wears. the principal of tiie fund remains u' '. touched; and al the eud- of twenty years .d may he appropriated to any further pnrpo' et which the wisdom cf Congress may elect And il is further 10 be noted that Ltbral F will undoubtedly form aa essential feature
 any plan which may De proposed, so U.
 those who are not unwilling to consider
 =t.h s. t,,,..f,f , inc great end ul the donaNo