The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-27

MI CHAIRMAN: IL mas been q matter OF very
general complaint that there has been great delay
In performing the trust imposed upon this govern
ment by It's acceptance Of the Smithsonian bequest
Whether this complaint be well or Ill founded, all
VIII agree that the time has now arrived for decisive
action, aud that the honor and good faith Of the gov
eminent require speedy application of the fund to
Its destined purpose.
Very nearly eight years have elapsed since the
magnificent OF half million Of dollars sancti-
fed by the will Of James Smithson to tho humane
purpose of increasing and difusing knowledge
among men" has been received into the treasury OF
the United States.
Bot il this delay is to be regretted on some &C.
counts, at least one great advantage has accrued the
interest Of the fund has accumulated 10 such an
amount that every necessary building for the com
plete accommodation Of a most extensive institution
may be immediately constructed without any dimi-
mutton OF the original sum. That will remain un-
touched, the fruitful source of psrpetua supply and
support for the benehoent establishment which may
be created by the bill .... .'a.0
Besides, sir, during this long period OF delay,
many plans have been suggested and discussed
some learned reports have been made in this House
and in the Senate, and the public attention has been
so engaged upon this Interesting subject that are
now doubtless prepared TO dispose Of il nelligently
and in manner which will fully meet the high and
liberal purposes of Mr.. Smthson. There is no
longer any justification for delay Everything Is
ready awaiting our action, and the wise and the be-
nevolent IN all quarters are anxiousy expecting us
to perform our solemn duty in reference to this no
BILE bequest.
But there is. at this peculiar juncture in at
fairs, still another consideration strongly appealing
10 the national honor and urging the immediate dis
position Of the fund, according TO the will of the do
nor James Smithson was an Englishnan. Yet
he passed by his own powerful and splendid gov
ernment--one which has never failed refused to
contribute literally TO the cause Of scence-and Sc
lected our palmer and simpler institutions as the
more appropriate depository Of the sacred trust TO
which he devoted the whole of his large fortune.
Our relations with England, at the present moment
are thought to be very critical. do not anticipate
war. have little fear, that two enlightened ma
tons, whose interests deeply involved in the
maintenance OF peace, WILL in the nineteenth centu-
ry, rush into a sanguinary and destructive war,
even upon so grave question as that which now
disturbs them. Yet, there are many who look upon
the present crisis with more serious fears; and all
must acknowledge that war is possibe-,hat very
slight Encouragement, on either side, might lead TO
that disastrous end. Now, il war should take place,
IL would be most dshonorable to our government,
that large fund, given by benevolent foreigner
found institution Of the most peaceful and benef-
cent character should remain in the treasury and be
used to carry on war agains, the very nation from
whom the charitable gift was received. hope, sir,
we shall avoid the possibility of such humiliation,
by adopting the measure before us without delay
Should we fail to do 30, and hostilIties occur the
ssion will never cease to be the fruitful source
and occasion of those bitter attacks upon our hon.
esty and the moral tendency of our institutions,
which have long filed the pages of English periodi-
calls, and the journals of English travellers. Their
denunclations, then, would have q much better
foundation than they usually have. We should be
somewhat at a loss to repel them. The ordinary
charge of faithessness and Reputation Of pecuniary
liabilities would be nothing in comparison: this
would be the gross violation Of a sacred trust which
no circumstance could palliate, emergency could
justify.
intend, Mr.. Chairman, to support the bill in It's
present form. There Is, doubtless, a wide field for
the selection Of means to accomplish the great de
sign unfolded in the comprehensive words of Mr..
Smithson's will Any plan which may be adopted for
the attainment of this end, must necessarily be the
result OF compromise; for it is not to be expected
that any two minds acting separately, would arrive
at the same conclusions upon this important subject
understand this bill to have been thus framed by
the committee which reported it. As result of the
conflicting opinions Of wise and experienced men
harmonzed by comparison, discussion, and mutual
| concession, it is entitled to very high respect But
think its intrinsic merits will be found to be It's
most imposing recommendation
Before attempting TO notice the provisions Of the
bill, | will refer briefly to an objection, which, il
valid, would be paramount to all other considera
tons 1t was with surprise and regret, that heard
the objection Of my colleague Mr. JONES' to thi:
BILL on the ground Of unconstitutionaity. | woult
| have regretted opposition upon such grounds from
any quarter; but much more when it comes from
| my own State would have preferred that Ten
nessee should have occupied different position.
| My honorable colleague insists that the govern
ment ought not to have accepted the trust and tina
the money ought now to be restored IL is true the
United States were not bound to accept the trust
They might have rejected Mr.. Smithsons magni6
cent donation, and deprived the American peop,
of the rich blessings which may now be conferred
upon them by its wise and faithful use. But better
counsels prevailed; they did accept it by law o
Congress; and in so doing, they assumed a solemn
obligation to apply the fund according to the will o
the testator. The faith Of the government is pledged
it is doubly pledged-frst, by receiving the money
and retaining it eight years, with an express agree
melt to apply it faithfulIy-and, secondly, by tn,
very nature Of the sacred objects to which the trus
is directed, so binding and obligatory in their higl
demand upon the honor of the nation, that it woult
be sacrilese and barbarism to repudate the claim.
do not propose to enter the field Of constitution
al discussion. That is hacknied subject, and
am sure the occasion does not require that line o
argument. Nothing, sir, more clearly demonstrate
the utter mpracticability and absurdity of those ex
IRENE opinions upon constitutional questions, some
times advocated here, than the opposition on suct
grounds, to the measure now before US. The com
mon and general judgmentof the people, the unite,
! ard almost universal concurrence Of politicians o
OF al casSes, uiHesitatinBfy uiscaTu anu condemn
the narrow and illiberal sentiment An institution
of the greatest importance, most beneficial to til,
| people Of this country founded not with funds ex
acted by taxation, but built upon the liberay Of
distinguished foreigner, who has far sanctioned
our political structure TO confde to il the execu.
ton Of sacred trust for the benefit Of the human
race-this institution, located within territory over
| which Congress has exclusive jurisdiction, surel,
| cannot involve the exercise of a power unautho
| rlzed by the constitution or in the slightest degre,
dangerous to the integrity Of our political principles
| Mr.. Smithson was not wrong in supposing this GOV
ernment possessed the power to. convey 70 its peop
gratuitous benefit Of the first magnitude. His be
nevoent design will not be frustrated by this magi
nary impairment; for do not dream that il can in
terpose even momentary obstacle to the passage o
| the bill.
II win not be denied that this large fund, properly
applied, may be made the instrument Of much good
The benefit will be enjoyed primarily and peculiar
y, if not entirely, by our own people. It's indrec
influence, it is to be hoped, will hereafter extend
abroad but il is chiefly here that its benign effect
are TO be felt as long as the institution shall exist
1t ought, then, to be an object Of great care and
peculiar interest TO the government. All necessary
Il