The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-10

directed And suppose shall DC asceflained ihat "hen
The two bloods mixed in halt or quarter proper
ton either OF the one the other. there - great
deal less OF longevity OF vital powell OF energy
What Is tproposed to dos proposes g nave sys
tenn ,of legislation here, in virtue OF which these mix
lures are hereafter be prohibited or restrained
Congress TO pass act BY which ~ snail restrain
this Au5ous this deleenous process q mixing me .wc
me upon the subject, this curious inquiry, y mat
Ter as absolutely barren of every possible application to
useful purpose as any that be imagined. lnyestga
ton about he crspness of The hair would as we'll tend 10
answer the purpose Of the legislation OF Congress- present
or future upon supposed contingency and we would
get as much information attempted 10 be obtained
6y this particular table My friend says. in pressing OF
insisting upon that there intention OF himself, or
any else OF the committee to produce any unfayora
BE result to the South There has not been the least
idea OF the sort entertained with reference any provision
reported in this bill The remarks made by Of the
southern senators have referred solely to some incidental
the subject, and thought BY them unnecessary Now,
SIR il il merely to crafty curlosyto furnish an oppor
unity for speculation that this Information Is sought
must confess that every point OF view, ii seems TO me
to be utterly useless will observe, also. that il seems
10 that in relation to this whole subject there is too
much OLA proneness to run into unnecessary details,
not having any reasonable limits. BY increasing the
number OF subjects which you propose tonyesgae. you
multiply the chances OF mistake You are, as u seems 10
III he results Obtained under ali the heads unreliable
useless, mischeyous.
Mr.. DAYTON: word sir. in answer to, my. friend
from North Carolina, who has with his usual point and
clearness criticised my observations in what said when
was last up He has admitted that the information in
question would be curious, but he waRtsto know in what
respect il would be useful He no possible utility
init. When usedthe word useful, meant that it
would be useful proper to the matter in hand useful
matter OF scientific research II is q very important
fact if the theory prove to be tue in the natural history
Of II is an advance in our knowledge upon that
subject useful therefore, reference to the particular
subject you have under consideration inquiry donot
say 1t s useful political information, or serv
ing to enable us settle any great principle of legislation
but 10 useful before said for the particular subject
itself to which trelates, as an addition 70 science
Why. sir, you sent out, as my friend | MT. UNDER,
wo0Dl Observed scientific expedition ronnd the world
to collect all the birds. and all the shells, and all the
beasts and Al the fish, and e examine this very cues
Patagonians, any other specimens OF the human family
near the south the north poe and TO gather up every
earth II is all useful in It's way, and the government
makes appropriations TO acquire that species OF know
edge in distant parts OF the worlds but as soon as the
opportunity occurs home, very midst to pro-
cure similar information to the natural history OF man,
the question is raised what possible utility there be
in knowledge OF such facts
Now, sir submit with very great respect that this is
auseul fact in reference to the particular matter to which
it relates do not know to what precise purpose the
knowledge of such fact might be applied do know
with regard to thousands OF other facts which never
heless regarded important 10 science ITSELF so far
mere utarian purpose IS concerned What precise
utility is there in the geology of the earhts stTatica
on-the history OF the animals that have covered its
face, shown in fossil remains from which gather
the history Of the earth herself-the ancient history
not know any precise unitarian purpose TO which you
can convert all that kind of information You cannot
make or do any particular thing with II, and
yet you attach great importance to the knowledge
You ascertain the distance of a fixed star; and
yet do not know that you apply that knowledge TO
particular practical purpose For the purposes OF nav
gaion be sure sufficient knowledge of that general
subject certainly necessary and useful but the hosts
Of little satellites, which cannot be seen without the aid OF
telescope, and stars of the eighth magnitude, or some
other minute magnitude what possible utility there
be in discoveries in relation 10 tAeml What utility was
there in the discovery OF the planet many other
OF those unusual scientific facts and explorations for which
there is no particular practical applicaon--cerainy
in the business OF egslatlon yet suppose that you will
not object the astronomer of your institution yonder
spending portion of his that very species OF
vesigaion and they be regarded otherwise than
usefnl--usefu as scientific facts-useful extending
the sphere OF scientific knowledge That is all that
intended IL making the suggestion which did. With
Mr.. BADGER My friend has made himself extreme
y Ineligible his curious and useful being precise
curious and is enlargement Of human knowledge but
his statement he said that this curious fact and
that besides that il was useful fact Now what is his
expanationi Why, II enlarges the bounds OF human
knowledge So does every discovery; but if il cannot be
applied any practical purpose under the is curious
eems crafty the speculation OF those who engaged
scientific pursuits This particular knowledge, If gained,
would be like the discovery OF star II cannot be
made available for any practical purpose Il is curious
certainly bgt when the senator SAID IN addition TO that
that il would be useful supposed he meant something
more take il there is something OF use implied in the
term useful; but now il Turns ont that by curious
and useful be meant The thing. Now, /
admit that would be curious fact. | do not
deny that upon proper occasion may send explo
ing expedition-for the purpose oil ascertanng curious
iacsaround the world; but upon the present occasion
the benefit Of the country, and country to aid our
egslaon TO enable us TO understand the condition and
state OF country with view 10 governmental action
and turns out that this fact has no relevancy prac
cal purpose 10 which il can be apped-no;ang which
| either directly indirectly affect action in any
legislation or governmental capacity II is, therefore,
lar concerned, al least, curious and not
useful fact or question.
Mr. BUTLER. ! concur with the remarks tina, have
been made by the from North Carolna but II is
just that should say believe that this part Of the table
originated with southern gentleman. / have not at
bued to northern senator's having been devised Tor
the purpose OF attacking institutions No one else,
presume, thinks any such thing was surprised that
any should suppose that such idea is entertained
Well, sir, know that there is discussion going on in
the southern portion of the United States and perhaps
and philosophical discussion distinguished physician
OF Mobile, and others, engaged in this investigation,
involving the want OF such information as this IL ii
should in their way; but am utterly opposed TO
using proceedings, IN governmental capacity, for
the purpose Of accunulang information for other per.
The opinion has obtained considerable extent
in the southern portion OF the United States that the
muaito or man Of mixed is shortIivet than
The black while the decided impression is, thai he is
gence he approaches the white race. is decided opn
on These are speculative views and since my friend
IRON Kentucky Mr. UsDERwooDl wishes 10 have all the
apparatus necessary for asceraining with much &C
curacy lshe particulars OF the relative powers OF the
various classes OF population would suggest the pro-