The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-22

men Of the day
II is also, by the bil specially made part Of the
duty OF these men TO institute scientific researches
In these as have seem Smithson spent the greater
part Of his life. And II eannst be doubted that
were he yet alive and here to-day 10 explain his
wishes, original researches IN The sraet sciences would
be declared by him part Of his plan. With the
knowledge Of his life and favorite pursuits before
US, and the words Of his will specifying the increase
as well as the diffusion of knowledge for guide,
II seems nothing less than imperative duty TO IN
elude scientific research among the objects OF
Smithsonian Institution.
lsaid an imperative duty. Such is the nature of
our obligation to fulfil whatever may fairly infer
TO have been Smthson's intentions. This money is
not ours; if il WERE we might take counsel from
own wishes and fancies, in its appropriation. But
II merely entrusted TO US, and for specific pur-
pose. Mr., ADAMS, in his report made in 1910, well
says:
ln the commission Of every trust there an implied trb
trustee and there il also implied for faithful
ecise OF these properties TO the hment Of the purpose Of
the The tribute and the call scqur. additional force
and energy when the trust is committed for performances
after the dseesse OF him by whom is granted when he
longer exists to witness or 10 consraln the effective fulfil
ment Of his design"
And these considerations seem to me, also, con-
elusive against the great library plan In the first
place, Smithson's own pursuits were scientific, not
antiquarian. In the second, had he desired merely
10 found library, il IL reasonable TO suppose he
| would have said so.
The bill, as reported 10 the House, has been
framed in that spirit Of compromise necessary in
this world OF a thousand opinions. The importance
Of the chief objects al which II aims will be conee-
ded by all the advancement Of agriculture, the i'm
provement Of primary education, and the prosecu-
ton Of scientific research. And IL even in its prae-
teal effects the plan fall short of the aneipatons
of its friends suffer me to ask YOU what is the al
m Sanats hill of the nnlv
that has yet found favor enough succeed in either
| branch Beyond tho library scheme and the pro-
Censorship OF agriculture Ia feature equally in that
bill and IN ths) what Ia proposed Public lectures,
to be delivered in this city "durng the sessions Of
Congress-" Who is to profit by these lectures
Let the author Of the plan answer
"who would their audiences bel Members OF Congress,
with their hmiliesi members Of the government, with
theirs inhabitants Of this city, somsl few strangers.
who occasionally honor with visits Of curiosity bust
ness They would he public men, OF mature years and
minds educated disciplined to degree; Of liberal
osty and appreciation Of generous and various know
dge'-SsnatOr ChSafs'I speech, as above.
Here is plan for gratuitous lectures to be deliv.
cred to members Of Congress and Of the government
with their families; to some citizens Of Washington
and few passing Strangers TO men-so II is ex-
pressed-educated, disciplined; already capable OF
approaching generous and various knowledge.
And this, as the mode the most efectual the most
comprehensive tie most just and equal To increase
and diffuse knowledge among men! We are to
pass by all plans that may reach and benefit the peo-
pie by improving their education and eleyating the
character OF their teachers all proposals, even, To
scatter broadcast among them useful tracts, popular
treatses all projects in short, to distribute among
them the bread and water Of intellectual life where
ever these are craved and we are to adopt in their
stead, course Of lectures expressly restricted to the
sessions Of Congress, expressly prepared for our
selves and for few government officers and stran-
gers of lectures to be especially adapted to
an audience already favored by fortune and educa
ton; already, as we are compacenuy told, of ma
ture minds and above all need of elementary insuuc-
| lion!
| Sir over the entire land must the ris from this
sacred fountain freely flow; not be arrested and
walled up here, to minister to our pleasure or con.
venience. We greatly mistake, il we imagine that
our constituents are Indifferent to the privilege OF
drawing from these waters Of knowledge; that they
cannot appreciate their fertizng influence. If there
be one feeling more powerful than another in the
hearts Of the millions of this land, even through
ts remotcst forests 1t is, that the intellectual cult.
walton which circumstances may have denied to
them shall be secured to their children They value
sometimes even beyond their worth, the literary
advantages, by aid Of which the few commonly dis.
lance their competitors in the paths Of emolument
and honor. Ay, and beyond this, they feel-do we
not all feel that not in temper, in habits, in
feelings or in intelligence, what we ought to be, or
what we might have beeni-that our nature was bet
Ter tndn cuuCdtoH iHcy ictt-nuS Hot Ilt
most careless among felt it toos-that there are
springs of virtue within us that have seldom been
touched generous aspirngs that have scarcely been
called into action; capabilities of improvement that
have hardly been awakened; capabilities of enjoy
ment that have been turned to fountains of bitter
: nessi If we might now re-educate ourselves even
! from the cradle upwards, developing each menta
power and moral faculty, checking the rising vice
and cultivatng the nascent virtue; bending the pill
ant habit TO reason, and mastering the evil passion
at its brth-how gladly would we grasp at the Of
ferl how dearly value the privilege! And what sell
fshness would do for ITSELF think you not that pa
rental affection desires for it's offspring? Yes, vice
itself desires it! Stronger than the thirst after
riches; deeper than the craving for power, sprngins
from the best and most enduring of human In
stincts, is the parents longing for the welfare
Of his child Criminal he may be; ignorant ht
may be; reckless even of his own character, hope
less of a reputable standing for himself; but hi,
children if british have utterly quench
ed the principle of good within him-for then
there is still redeemng virtue in his soul; striving
after better things; hope that they may escape thu
vices which have degraded him; that they may
emerge from the ignorance in which he is benighed
if not to wealth and honor, at least to fair fame
honest reputation; credit to his blghted name, ant
a comfort to his declining years.
| Such are the sentiments that spring up to meet III
, from among the people, shared by the bad as wei
as the good universal in their prevalence. And i
is to such sentiments, the best earnest OF progressive
improvement in man, that the provisions of thi,
bill ought, 30 far the amount Of the legacy ant
the terms of the will permit to respond.
Such views are in accordance with the spirit o
the age, and the wants of the times. 1t is not
world all of flowers and sunshine, this we live in.
is a world, where thousands starving; wher
tens of thousands toll to Twelve, only to die!
is world, where cruel suffering exists, WHERE
shameful crimes are committed, where terrible op
preston is endured, where dark ignorance is found
1t has Of wrong, and outrage, and guilt :an
$ wo. They rise before us. They thrust themseve
on our attention. Not to gid, not to embellish;
graver, sadder duty is his, who would aid in sucl
a worlds Improvement
!; To effect permanent good in such world, w
must reach the minds and the hearts Of the masses
, we must difuse knowledge among men; we must no
deal it out to scholars and students alone, but eve
to Tom, Dick, and Harry; and then, as wise ant
witty female writer of the day expressed it, "the!
8 will become Mr.; Thomas, and Mr.. Richard, and MI
| Henry" They may not become profound scholars
erudite graduates. Nor is that necessary. We
! to know common things is the essential 1t is no
elaborate learning that most improves the world, o
that exerts most influence in its government. Work
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