Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-01-21
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
FRIDAY, JANUARY p, 1853.



Smithsonian Institute for a copy of its an-
nual report.
1t will be one of the leading objects of
the Star, as the only daily evening paper in
Washington, to present in true light the
claims of the Smith sonian Institute ON the
confidence and the goodwill of our country
men. The institution has not yet been ex
hibited in all it's real claims, and we rejoice
that In these columns we can present them
to the public free from the bias of party.
What object could or can be more credit
able to the Federal City of great nation
like this than to present, and urge, and
foster the Smithsonian Institution There
is not a citizen Of Washington but should
be proud of it; for the more thoroughly it
is examined the greater will its merits be
found to be.
We would not be understood as convey
ing the idea that the conductors of the
public journals have Intentionally lost sight
Of the pressing claim of this great national
work. They are so necessarily occupied
with considerations identified with politics,
commerce, trade, conquest and annexation,
that they cannot, of course, give all that
attention to the more quiet walks of science
and literature, which we are sure thew
would be happy to give if it were in their
power.
1t is well, therefore, that there is a daily
evening paper here like the Star, whose aim
will be to unfold and present the objects of
the Smithsonian Institution before the
country, and urge its high merits on the
Continued regards of the National Legisla.
ture. For it is evident that the Institution
has but just began its work. The erection
of an elegant and durable public building is
not all. The gathering of select library
is not all. The bringing together of the
apparatus of science is not ALL The lectures
it furnishes at periods are not ALL These
are parts-but they are only parts-of the
Smithsonian Institution The effect it is to
have on the masses of the people, it's lee
lures, made as popular and didactie as pos
sible-its circulation of the most practical
information, especially among the youth of
our country-these are some of the work
ings Of this vast system of influence for good
which will eventually arise, and flow out
like healing waters from pure fountain,
within the solid and elegant walls of the
Smithsonian Institution.
But we will defer further remarks on this
important subject to future occasions
Meanwhile our readers may expect from us
SuCl arguments ana FACTS tOuchlng this ma
tional concern as will not only add material
interest and value to our paper, but as will
lead to good results in the cause of Ameri-
lean education and American self govern
ment.
The President elect of the United States,
General FRANKLIN PIERCE, will soon as
sumo his post as Regent of the Smithsonian
Institution. A new Board of Government
will assume the direction of it's affairs. At
the proper time, therefore, we shall resume
the subject, and will present some additional
facts that cannot fail to crafty and instruct
our readers.
BI@ In addition to the plans of rail
road to the Pacific, proposed by Whitney,
by Berton, by Gwinn, and by Price, and
which are now before Congress, company
in New York proposes another, for con-
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