Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-05-02
THE SMITHSONIAN REQUEST.

FROM PAPER wEDSRsDAY.l
The House OF Representatives yesterday kindly
gave another day to the discussion of the bill to
carry into effect the phanthropic bequest of Mr..
SMITHsoN, and the discussion will be continued to-
day. The present House appears, by its earnest
attention to this interesting subject anxious to
deem the long neglect of its predecessors 10 execute
the important trust committed to it by the enlight-
ened benevolence of a foreigner and stranger and
we are happy to indulge the hope that at length
there is prospect of the preliminary steps being
taken by Congress TO carry out the donors in
entions.
Mr.. OWEN made an able speech on this subject in
the House of Representatives, in which he gave the
outline and sufficient Of the details Of the mode in
which he proposes to establish the Smithsonian In
sliution. There may be parts of that plan of which
we do not exactly approve; but we feel that it is
practicable in its objects, and calculated to carry
into execution, considerable extent at least the
intentions of Mr.. SMTHsoN, so far as they are ex-
pressed in the terms of his bequest. We should
deeply regret if any impediments were now thrown
in the way Of the progress of this measure. 1t is
in vain to reject Mr.. OwENs proposition, in the
hope of finding some other plan which may suit
the opinion of every one. There is no subjectupon
which the minds of men differ more than on that
Of education; and il the bequest Of Mr.. SMITnsoN
remain dormant until all minds in Congress agree
in the details of any plan it will never be executed
This bequest was designed by the donor 10 be
expended in the establishment and maintenance OF
an institution in the city of Washington for the
+" increase and diffusion of knowledge among men"
Now, the common-sense Interpretation and mean
ing OF this is very short and very simple. The
place where this institution is to be established is
fixed. The amount of money to be expended is
ascertaned. The object Of the institution is def
nitely and intelIigibly stated. The United States
have accepted the bequest; they have received the
money; they have entered into tacit agreement
with the Court Of Chancery in England that they
will carry out the intentions and wishes Of Mr..
Smithson II too late to talk about the deroga-
ton of dignity which the United States submits TO
in the acceptance of the bequest, if there were
any dsparagement implied, or if the most sensi-
tive person could fancy the country placed in an
unbecoming position by receiving the legacy, and
carrying out the benevolent designs of the donor
The honor and good faith of the country pledged
to do so. There may be room for difference of
opinion as to the amount ofmoney which il is most
proper to spend in the erection of the buildings, &c.
and what amount of income will be requisite to pro-
vide for the successful maintenance of the institu-
ton after il has been established but these differ
ences surely may be reconciled by mutual conces-
sion, and not be allowed to defeat the measure
There may also be some difference Of opinion as to
what is knowledge, and what are the best means Of
promoting It's increase and diffusion among men.
And again, il may be asked what branches Of know
ledge are TO be increased and difused To all these
questions might think ourselves qualified TO give
satisfactory answer; but the subject in wise and
competent hands, and we will not arrogatc to our
selves the privilege of doing so.
The proportion of attention which should be paid
to each and every branch of knowledge, the best
Of communicating the instruction. and all the
details Of the plan, must be the work of time to de-
eide upon and mature. II will be sufficient at pre-
sent to commence the erection Of buildings with re-
ference to the carrying into execution some plan of
this description of which the grand outline needs
only now be laid down. Let immediate steps be
taken to lay the foundation of great and good and
suitable library: not hastily and careessly built up,
but gradually, considerably, and judciously.
We venture these brief suggestions in the hope Of
aiding measure which we confess we have deep
ly at heart. We have other in view than To- con-
tribute our mite to the commencement of the pro-
posed institution. When once commenced, the
plan and details will be moulded by the lights Of
experience if any defects discovered, they will
be remcded, and the system receive the best form
which wisdom and trial can imparL We conclude
by repeating that we regard the plan proposed by
Mr.. OWEN as at least as good as any other which
has been suggested it is certainly better than any
other now likely TO be proposed, although it may
yet be improved by the incorporation of some
amendments which have been suggested It's adop-
ton would satisfy us, and we think the country at
large, and its execution would, we think, to a very
considerable degree, and probably in all important
points, carry out Mr.. Smthson's wishes and inten-
tons; and relieve the Government Of the United
States from the just accusation which at present il
has TO submit to, of having accepted a most sacred
trust and for more than eight years having entirely
neglected to discharge any part Of the duties, which
that trust impcradvely imposed