Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-05
Extract from the Speech of the Hon.
w. II. English on the Smithsonian


Extract from the Speech of the Hon.
w. II. English on the Smithsonian
Institute.
Our talented representative expresses in the
following eloquent passage, sentiments to
which all liberal hearted men will respond
James Smithson, Mr. Chairman. was for
eigner-the natural son Of the duke of North
CUMBERLAND and of Elizabeth, the niece Of the
Duke of Somenset-but he was not possessed
of that intolerant spirit-the species Of relig-
ions fanatacism and sectional prejudice which,
regret to see is entertained by many of our
own nation. A truly wise and enlightened
people should not arrOgate 10 themselves
superiority in all things over every other part
of the world, and wrap themselves in a rlgld
exclusiveness ike the Japnnese, but should
rather pursue that policy which would gather
from other nations their best and most valu-
able citizens, arts, and inventions A Chinese
map of the world consists of China other
countries, If indicated atall, occupying no larger
space than that usually allotted 10 the smaller
class of islands The wild Indians and the
rovins Fartars, consider the customs Of their
respective tribes, or clans, the perfection Of
human life and regard with savage suspicion
! III u 40 10 uNb VI iSiitNAloA tAAtA
standard and, in fact, every savage, and most
/ an half-civilized people, think that within the
the boundaries of their own country are 10 be
found all virtue, intelligence, heroism, and
happiness. They are ever jealous Of strang-
ers, Ooreignes,) deny them all political rights
and sometimes prosecute them to the death.
Sir have some place read an account Of
a visit paid by the officers of a French vessel
] Il. ..F =, h. IL Of
country His sable majesty, plentifully be-
smeared with grease, seated on a log for a
throne and wonderfully impressed with the
vast superiority of everything and everybody
within his own dOminiOns, eagerly inquire OF
the officer acLeiher he scas much talked about "a
France. | have met some men in this coun-
| try even the sons of ENTHUSIASTICALLY
pulled up in seli-importance with the idea
that America is the world, and they the chief
instruments in governing America" No
man can have more exalted opinion Of this
Republic than |, for it is my native land
butt shall not, therefore, be blinded TO the
! merit of those whose destiny il happened 10
be to come into the world elsewhere, and es-
pecially those who, from choice, have selected
this as their permanent hOme-neither shall
forget how much our own career of great
mes, and glory has been facilitated by emf
grafton. Most sincerely do | trust that mar
row bigotry, sectional prejudice, and barbarian
eXcluSiveness will never control the destinies
! of the United States
Mr. Chairman, James Smithson was elevted
, far above all selfish, ow-contracted, sec
tional views. He is believed never to have
set his foot on our soil, and vet he passes the
splendid monarchies Of the Old World, and
intrusts, with confidence unqualified, 10 the
honor of republican America, the dispersion
of his bequest for the good of all men OF
noble descent himself, and of ample fortune,
his sympathies were not alone with those OF
his own class, or his own country, but with
"MEN" without limit or restriction. He de-
e clares in exalted language, which deserves to
a be written in letters of gold, that the man
e Of science is Of no country; the world is his
a country and all men his countrymen." Though
e he could boast that the best blood of England
/ flowed in his veins, yet he Sid that awaited
t him not, for his name would live in the mem
: orv Of men when the titles of the NOrthum
!. berlandS and Percies were extinct or forgot
r ten.
: Sir, the language used in the bequest core
V spends with what might naturally be expected
V from one possessing the enlarged views o
V Smithson.
+ "The great ideas of the will are those o
o increase and universal benefit The benefit i
if not for one nation, but for men who max
J. up all nations. Ii Is for mankind-for hu
e manity. The truths of science limit Of uni
= versal application. A truth that tends &
1t enlarge and TO elevate the mind discover
d that furnishes new power, OF makes a new
: application Of an old one, 10 administer in
h greater degree to the wants of men; fac
n that opens to the analytic mind new sourc
a Of evidence, to determine what before wa
# doubtful, are blessings for world.'