The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-03

THE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION AND THE SMITH |
SONIAN INSTITUTION

| SONIAN INSTITUTION
The meeting Of the American Scientific Association al
the seat Of government has for few days past afforded an
interest the intellectual circles Of WashnQton very
terent from that which constitutes the ordinary STAPLE OF
their thoughts and discussions Amid the din of politics
We are permitted for hold audience with the
spirit OF abstract contemplation and may step from the
halls oi party strife into the peaceful sanctuary of the sci
ences The clash Of passing interests may the time be
forgotten, while thoughts engaged with those i'm
muabe principles BY Of which induction is unobtru-
syey but surely revoluonizing the physical conditions
Of society and leading TO results which can only be meas
ured 10y the duration of our species
II has not inappropratey been asked who that had OBJ
served Galyani busted in the dissection of an insignificant
reptile could have supposed that he would thus detect the
principle which IN its Development has given the speed
OF thought to the intercourse Of distant counes2 What
needless observer would have imagined that while drop
ping pebbles nom tower Calico determining the
laws which give unity and simplicity to the apparently in
exuleabie movements of the planetary sysem2 chd's
10Y IN the hands of our Franklin leads to the
Tor disarming the terrors Of the tempest epu aien elo
Thus II is that the patient investigation of principles how
ever obscure the path Of research is justified by the gram
denr and benefcence OF results and reproof is given
the rash or needless judgment which might be disposed
slight the claims of abstract physical science because
the objects with which il deals appear sometimes too mi
mute TO merit attention. too from the
daily life to be Immediately and obviously applicable
| some purpose of practical utility.
1t Is not however, to pursue this train of reflection that
am induced Mr. Editor ask place for these remarks
in your instructive columns The interests of science
meet themselves naturally with the fortunes Of the nst
tuition where the sessions Of the association are now held
that citizen of Washington though standing like myself
quite without the pale Of any official scientific connection
scarcely witness the proceedings of the without
adverng with pride and satisfaction to the progress and
destination of the other The OCCASION therefore seems
not an unsuitable one for making few observations
which may serve TO convey distinct ideas upon these
points TO distant casual inguircrs well
impressions WHICH it appears TO me- have
been ndustriously and pervcrse, disseminated by
those whose better knowledge should have taught them
/ wiser procedure.
The ground Of complaint with been the slow
ness with which the Smithsonian building has advanced
towards completion Now this matter satisfactorily
cleared by the secretary in the course Of some remarks
which he made to the association aew days since the
adaptation of the structure to Of its specific purposes
The delay seems has been in part the consequence
some Indispensable alterations in the interior of the build
ing, making it reproof dc but it originally accept
ed as necessary condition for outstanding the in
order greatly to enhance the permanent efficiency of the in
stitution. The Of $5l5,0oo, which the amount
realized by the United States from Smthson bsques
borne an interest of $4,000 up the time when its APP
pcation directed by Congress This latter might
have been absorbed pressing forward the compile
ton of an edhce not Immediately necessarily required
for the purposes Of the trust When understood how
greatly inadequate the interest of the original capital
would have been to meet the Indispensable not say the
desirable, outlay of such establishment $4,000 or
Whereabouts being annually requisite for the ordinary
vice ofiighting warming Watching transportation and
arrangement of books apparatus, &C. the policy cannot
be deemed unwise which by the delay of few years has
added Sl500o0 the principal of the fund-a sum not
buried in stone and mortar but lie forever produc-
tive in the hands of future administrators The favor OF
The moment might perhaps have been better concated by
different course; but reflection will justify
which nothing but prudent foresight could have dictated
and only constant, vigilance and scresraint have CON
sistenty carried out ct is understood however that
IN four or five months the building will be completely
ished)
i Nor have the prescribed objects of the institution been
by any means neglected in the interval large and val
liable Library has been acquired of natural his
tory collected and arranged and courses of lectures have
been delivered before audiences assembled from every part
of the country. In addition to these wide field of aao
tive operations has been opened going too far
to that every scientific interest Of the time whether in
the hands OF public or private parties has felt the impulse
communicated by the direct participation incidental aid
Of the institution At the same time a series of annual
transactions contributions knowledge reaching nov
to hive quarto volumes, has reared ungracefu
ment TO the scientific genius Of own country while il
has made the and liberay of Smithson familiar
the enlightened minds Of every other
Strange as II may this very plan of active opera
sought to be enlarged and rendered Immediately
practical and useful has furnished tho occasion some
the most captous complaints against its manage cement As
Stunning gratuitousy that Congress has authorized
pcnditure Of money but for buildings and books ohe
objects equally limited and local. attempt actually
been made to rally the popular feeling against precisely
that disposition Of the funds which seems calculated mos
widely to interest and benefit the scattered millions the
land Certainly the dweers the great lakes and III,
Mississippi must feel interest in inquiries which
are carried in their midst and which often relate
TO questions bearing their climate productions
soil than in the accumulation OF literary at single
poinstores which, however valuable in themselves
he accessible TO comparatively few and only consider
ableexpenditure Of time and money Without going how.
ever into inquiry how far such accumulation would
satisfy the conditions Of legacy destined for the increas,
and diffusion Of knowledge among men, II is enough
say in TO such objections that the Of Congress
by which the institution organized has distinctly Civ.
en- TO the board of regents the power Of providing their
discretion for other objects than those enumerated in the
act And the regents have constantly acted the as
sumption Of such power is to be hoped that whatever
changes may be adopted with respect other parts Of the
scheme win be permitted in that which
most closely 10 the obvious intention of the teator
giving efficacy TO both branches OF the bequcsthe dis
covey Of truths and their widest possible dssemna-
ton amongst men.
4 With reference communications upon this subject
which have made their appearance in papers remote from
Washington, though emauating from that point il may
safely be affirmed that such state Of feeling opinion
they meant TO indicate prevails among Cavils