The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-05


claim the wachfu and upeeasng OF the patriot and
he will fail not TO recognise and foster all agencies IRON
source that tend TO encourage and exercise the
higher virtues OF which we have spoken. In accord
auce herewith and In view OF the good will 10 men
which free to exercise, have we been chosen 10
dispense the blessings OF Institution Tor the increase
and diffusion OF knowledge everywhere among men. II
matters not with whom the idea originated only so lar
tse lust exercise OF the grateful feelings oil
the world. IL idea imbodying the spirit OF free
dom and Christianity, and implying the declaration that
10 promote the ends OF such institution sacred
duty which State like ours should perform
The national vanity OF some may suffer at the thought
that il not established by government and en-
dowed with millions instead OF thousands; but it could
not have been proposed by without the appearance OF
arrogant assumption OF capacity TO instruct The whoie
world il provdeniiay ordered that should be
done by one scarcely bound by any national pariaes-
by phanlhopist, citizen OF the republic OF science
and humanity
consideration OF delcacy prevent adding TO the und
many millions there hundreds OF thousands IN
the original beques BY so doing, we shall show our
selves worthy have been chosen before all other States
as it's administrators and our readiness 10 avail ourselves
OF great opportunities to make the best uses OF the pos
sessions of freedom.
But whether we add to il or only use, the benefce has
been received worthy one. lis first fruits have been
sent abroad the earth to be everywhere sown anew
Misunderstood in respect TO the purposes OF the insiilu
ton. disturbed in its operations as It may be IN the be-
ginning by various causes, the elements OF advancing
usefulness there. Co-working for the increase and
diffusion of knowledge, with the missionary labores Tor
4
| will attend It's course.
Such are among the exertons of State 10 be made for
the development and OF its aspiring powers to.
ward attainment OF its ideal of life-such the exerons
that encourage the commemorative efforts OF art, and
sanctfy them tor benign reaction upon national senli-
ment.
Just as we estimate the indiyidua-he individual by
the he makes of his atianmens rather than by the
persistent energy through which they were made-mus
| we finally Judge OF national worth; and although we
manifest deep and enduring gratitude for the martial hero
ism that secured the estate of the na,on we are called
upon TO recognise the moral uses OF possession remem
bering the time IS past when only
/ '''Mids the flame
or martial glory she can win renown,
i Who plants the olive now may hope for fame"
i Even before active herosm stands loter virtue. Mi
nerva prepares the aborendows and rewards the hero
principle to Defend or herosm would have no calling
The phanihroplst the philosopher, the divne Precede
and prepare the principles 10 be established and defended
then the Hercules called destroy the opposing
STEERS and we are taught by Homer how wildly strikes
his mighty arm when unobservan OF the lnformlng
soul So Art would dedicate statue TO wise old Nesor
as well as Agamemnon and Achilles
After heioism has destroyed the monsters and secured
the home of the principle, appear the virtues OF states,
manship justice, patriotism, instructive wisdom and
then, for the perfect development and illustration OF the
national mind, the muses. appear amid the hallowed
groves Homer sings the epic story, and Phideas nils
the Parlhenon
We are entering upon this ripe season OF the nations
growth.
The Daughters of Memory waiting in the groves &c
give 10 Art their highest Inspirations.
Already have they tuned their harps, bTeathed tht
treasured memories OF the epic theme and brought tt
view the immortal shades of sages heroes patriots aud
divnes whose forms must fill the nations halls of fame
And not UNDECIDED have the tones and shades passed
through the hallowed groves The resonant caves o.
echo in the hear-ihe quick rejecting mirrors OF tht
! mind of Art--retan the voice and form.
Even with the shouts OF battle bent the muses. cheer
ing strains Even in the nations youth were those 10
whom blent the patriots virtue and the poets hre
the warriors valoT and the artists soa They caugh
the spirit of the great events and for The present and the
future saved the forms and doings OF The dauntesi
hrong OF that heroic age.
who enter on their abos, build the lofty verse Shai
vacant frezes in our temples, which should bear b'
cuptured story OF their glorious deeds proclaim race
in genius barren and in pety unlearnedf And shall no
we, whose fathers recognised the will divine as guide
and sire myth and hope OF triumph on the nations
shield ray of heavenly light, or pillar of fire, as wit
ness OF our faith--our trust in Him who saved
We pass from this cursoy view OF national sentimen
and the arts TO notice OF the pfeudces OF the one
! | which bar the progress OF the other.
:, There some who think the beautiful arts are un
necessary If not preiudcia, TO the moral and maeria
advancement OF the world. Ga an imperfect knowl
edge OF the history OF mankind such impressions must b.
based We know that without the arts civilization could
exist that they prepared the classic nations Tor the
reception and diffusion OF the last and best religion OF thu
world. Resist The truth az we may, we must al eas
agree with the past, that "hrough the morning gate oil
beauty goes pathway TO the land OF knowledge
We know that the spirit OF Art prepares the human mnC
for the far sight into the heights and depths OF elemental
forces, from which the higher sciences result W.
know tina, the mental constitutions like that OF the artist
would induce the invention OF letters. and through Cad
mus achieve the civilization OF Greece and all the west
en world-through Gutenberg make their benehcenc
universal.
Moved BY its divine impulses, Columbus reforms tn,
dark obscure plane OF the world into glorious sphere
and traces pathway thereon to the gardens OF lies
; perus where golden apples grow and freedom hnds
home.
We have seen the boundIess extension and husbandry
OF this garden-bome OF freedom through the genius o
Fulton and the unity Of neghborhood secured TO its re
moest babltations by Moses speaking harp.
4 And the question OF Arts utility might here dismiss
Yet there is another class, small in number, whose in
fuenoe may receive moments consideration. The!
profess liberal sentiments the subject, yet annu h
uses OF bealiiy by its partial appicaion-aways view
ing the sciences and arts si their unity, dscrimna
ling between the ornamental the abstract, and the
u, and placing what they deem TO be the latter hgt
the scale OF value TO leave the claims OF The iorme
in contempt
Such minds are doubtless sincere yet il would be vel
TO inquire, If they are not selfdecelved 10 what erten
their sentiments actuaed by sincere conviction, anC
how Tar 10 conclale class supposed TO be moved main
~ by sordld utarlan considerations
We need carefully 10 scruiinZe our motive OF juds
ment when object to the claims of all arts and scen
ces that not Immediately convertible into the gold dig
gers instruments.
We need be careful, while discopragng the effort.
made TO develop truths IN what called Tie abb
ssct sciences that we do not show too great willing
ness 10 profit by those discoveries that al fret
lated facts but afterwards rendered useful by eombina
ton with others, and full development OF their powers
let US take heed bow we pronounce against the use.
fulness oil any-ihe least esteemed exertons OF Art
As in the universe all exisenoes sustained, moved
and developed by chain Of forces, the smallest link OF
which is Indispensable the creations OF science and
Let not ungrateful standing the highest