The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-17
THE DAILY UNION

Sir have place read account Of visit paid by
the officers OF French vessel TO an African chief in the
wilds Of his native country His sable majesty beautifully
besmeared with grease seated log for throne aud
xgsa, -fy Impressed With be yast superiority Of every
thing and everybody within his own dominohs eagerly
inquired Of the officers rheAer hs much talked
Frdnce have met some men In this country-eyen the
sons Of oregners-equay pulled up in selfmporance
with the idea that America the world and they the
chief instruments in governing America No man can
have more exalted opinion OF this republic than for Il
Is nv native and-but shall not therefore be blinded
the merit of those whose destiny It happened 10 be
into the world elsewhere and especially those who from
choice have selected this their permanent home neither
shall forget how much own career Of greatness and
glory has been facilitated by emigration. Most sincerely
do that bigoy sectional prejudice and bar
baran excusyeness will never control the destnes Of the
United States.
an selfish narrow contracted, sectional views lie is be-
ieved have set his foot SOIL and yet he
passes the splendid monarches of the Old World and in
trusts with confidence unqualified to the honor of repub
ean America the dpensaon of his bequest for the good
Of all OF noble descent himself and Of ample for
tune his ympathes not alone with those of his
class or his own country bat with "MES' without limit
or restriction He declares in exalted language which de-
be written in letters of gold that "the Of
science is of no country the world is his country and all
men his countrymenp Though he could boast that the
best blood of England flowed in his veins yet he said
awaited him not for his would live in the memory Of
when the titles of the Northumberland and Percies
extinct or forgotten.
Sir the language used in the bequet corresponds with
what might naturally be expected from possessing the
enlarged views OF Smihsons
"The great ideas of the will those of aud
persa benefit The benefit is not for one nation but for
men'-who make up all nations 1t is for manknd--for
humanity. The truths Of science admit OF universal APP
pication truth that tends enlarge and to elevate the
mind discovery that furnishes power makes
application Of old one to administer in greater
degree to the wants of fact that opens TO the
ytc mind new source OF evidence to determine what be
fore was doubtful, are blessings for world
IL. A.. -. q
Congress organizing the Institution contemplated Ii
brary the leading and paramount object Of the plan
Sir do not SO understand the law am unable to find
ANYTHING in il which conflicts with the will of Pmhson
The object of the law is declared to be carry ont his
wishes expressed in his will 1t provides general
line for the execution of the trust but necessarily leaves
much to the Judgment of the Regents, who nrused
with the general management of the Institution 1t
tions library museum &c. objects to be regarded but
does not require that all the income shall be applied the
objects specially mentioned particular any
them and the ninth section expressly authorizes
the Regents to make such disposition of the income not
required to carry out the provisions specified elsewhere in
the act they shall deem best suited for the pro-
motion of the purpose of the testaor which purpose de-
clared in the title of the act be establish the Smith
sonian Institution mot hbrGyl for the increase and dihu
sion of knowledge among men,
The law does not specify the sum that shall be expended
upon the musenm any of the objects mentioned. No
amount is required to be annually applied to library but
there is limitation that it shall not exceed certain
1t may be less much less but in more Pains
have been taken secure for all tine the
vices Of gentlemen OF talent and standing upon the Board
of Regents and they wisely and necessarily nrusted
with discretion in the expenditure of the nome and
the general management Of the affairs of the Intituton
Take, example, the item Of books They arc
ticle of trade and their prices uctuae in the market
other articles Of merchandise year it might be ex-
peden to make large purchases and another less Who
is to determined Surely the Board of Regents would best
know what to bny when and in what quantities. and the
law very properly confers upon them such discretion 1t
does not require the rapid accumulation of brary but
the contrary expressly provides in the eighth section,
uyrtfn nnf ~.
bic works and that sir is exactly what understand to
be the wish and design Of majority Of the present board
Why, sir, the Institution has already by purchase and
through the medium of exchanges collected fourteen thou
sand volumes and eleven thousand parts of volumes es
mated to be worth $4O0o0 and if any Regent officer
contempates the abandonment of the gradual formation
OF library Of valuable works as prescribed in the of
Congress- am ignorant of the fact and believe such
disposition is entertained.
Whilst am opposed to making the library the principal
and controlling feature of the Institution regard it as
of the important instruments to be used in accomplishing
the desired end and hold that it ought neither to be aban
doned neglected This my opinion in the begin
ming 1t is my decided opinion now
But sir do not understand that the distinguished
secretary of the institution Professor Henry who gener
ally supposed to be hostile what is commonly called the
library pan-especally favored by Mr. Cboate and Pro-
ssor Jeweto differ essentially materially, from
my position upon this subject
Professor Henry, in late communication solemny as
the board that long the present law of Congress
remains unchanged and until other be afforded
for their support he has idea of proposing to dispense
says "a library such the Institution may collect by its
exchanges and udicious purchases and museum Of spe
ca objects of research though not absolutely necessary
on the active operations would form harmonious
SYSTEM and could be properly supported by the present
income
repeat Mr.. Chairman that there is disposition to
destroy the plan of library such the law contempates
but there is disposition to prevent library from
topping and destroying other of equal greater
importance to the of the lnstitutonnd this is the
rhoe issue Sir it is the wish Of those
charged with the management of this Institution to
duct Its affairs in such manner will further the interests
OF science and be productive of the greatest amount of
good. is their chief desire to carry out in good faith
the design of the noble and generous Smthson and the
act of Congress made in fnrtherance of his w Where
that law is clear, it implicitly followed where doubts
exist that mode Of action adopted best calculated the
Judgment of the Regents to carry out the design of the
liberal and enlightened donor which design in the clear
est language is declared to be- the increase and diffusion
of knowledge among men, Is it at all likely that such
high trust would be abused by Board of Regents pres
ded by the Chief Justice of the United States and
ley Mr.. Pearce Mr. Douglas Mr. Mason Professor Bache
General Toen and others of much less but OF equal
y good intentions?
1t may be that the operations of the Smithsonian Institu
ton have not attracted the public eye made favorable
impression upon the minds Of the popular masses but
have confidence in their Judgment and believe the
to be true BE that as may il Is certain that wherever
coming fvorahly known and il is receiving the warmest
concentrations of gentlemen of the highest standing and
most exalted scholastic attainments.
might adduce much evidence to sustain this assertion
but believe the following will be considered ample and
conclusive The first extract shall read is from
rial recently presented to this House from the American
Philosophical Society at appears Them say the me-
the