The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-01-20
dbt Calt0uniau.
ST. JOHN BURY,
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
It has been we'll said by one Of the soundest
writers upon the phenomena Of nature, that
" Science is inscparabIy interviewer with all
that gives power and dignity to nation.
This great truth is too generally overlooked
They are honored by their contemporaries
WHO render subjects already known popular
and pleasing. rather than they who devote
themselves to original investigations. Men
of science, who toll far back where lie the
first principles of things. and who have
worked GU: The great problems that explain
the laws Of a universe. are regarded with
disfa,or 10y those who claim to b. cm'nentIy
practical: and yet he who makes use OF these
same la ors and puts them in the garb OF
modern instances" will be certain to please
the multitude. When Mr.. Gradgrind cries
out for Fact Give US Fact, Sir" he is
perfectly understood Still the truth remains
evident that facts without living principle
running through and connecting them are
worse than useless.
1t is the province Of the philosopher to
discover these principles, and bind them to-
ge,her. They can then be used with effect,
and wrought into the thousand working forms
Of daily life. 1t is, then, obviously un Just to
let the silent Thinkers bc forgotten, while at
the same time the ready Takers and ArP!i-
ers are crowned with laurcl-wreaths. The
slave who washes for diamonds in the sands
OF Golconda receives no applause even
though he finds the kohinoor - bu. the
queen who possesses the polished brilliant is
envicd by princes. The earnest studies Of
scholars in the abstract sciences are often
regarded as idle spcculations. while the clap
trap of rhctorcan is laudcd to the skies.
This is natural as it is short-sshtcI The
labors OF scholars may no; so directly inilu-
cnce The things Of to-day. as those Of The Ia
borer who can dig ditch. Yet it was tn"
man .: science who FIRST proved that !itchre
or understanding was useful in other places
than in swamps. And 50 in every thir:s. -
Thought, study. research years of patient,
profound investigation, must prepare the way
before the results can he seen in the practical
working o.! everyday lite. Unless these pre-
parations are first made there can he none
Of The buastc,i prGdo'dt effects ever expert
enccd. 1t is idle 20 attemrtit; and those who
declaim against a liberal education and VIVA
they denominatc book learning" are igno.an
of what they affirm. For without the one
tho other is an impossibility. The one sup
plies the material, the other the n,anutactu
rcrs; both furnish the theory and he rrac,ic
, requisite to carry forward successfully :h
. business Of world
: We have been led to these remarks b
reading, from time to time, the reports tina
= have reached us in regard to the difference
: of opinion held by the regents Of the Smitl
8 souian Institution. If the telegraph report
are reliable, the controversy has recently bee
decided in favor Of what is called the econ
r. promise system" That system has, in fac
a been the one followed out thus far in tn
" history of the Institution. and its wisdom
J. now called in question hy none save til
friends Of the Library and Museum plans
1t would be interesting, if we had room,
= present sketch of what has been done du
) ing the seven years since the bequest Of NJ
S,nithson was first attempted, in part, to
:, carried into effect. But We presume most q
7. our readers are already sufficiently famili;
= with the subject. We will, however, brief
n st ate the points upon which the friends Of Il
{ Institution have been divided.
J. Professor Jewett, at the bead Of the Libr
o ry department, has naturally been anxio
d to provide for large accumulation Of mob
C volumes. Others, in Congress and out, ha,
= thought that the best way to use the mon,
=, - would be to build up a great nation
il Museum. On the other side, Profe
'c sor Henry, himself man of cxtens,
is scientific requirements, has been solicitous
:. increase as we'll as to diDuse knowledge, a,
II as majority Of the Board Of Regents ha
- inclined towards that construction OF the W
IL and the Act of Congress by which it "
10 rendered available, the principal endcavc
~ OF the Institution have been directed in su
IN manner as to stimulate and encourage re
Z, requirements in almost every department
Is scientific research. The beneficial effects
;. this system Lave thus far been confined {
w the most part to scholars; and because sch
III ars are an undemonstrative class, not Civ
a. to excessive bursts Of admiration, it
brought little glory to the Institution.
it has done what is better it has commenc
2. a Ian OF operations which, if carried out, "
IN most e,,.ectually realize the hope Of the don,
~ BY the inc, ease Of knowledge and the difl
=, sion of that inc, ease to the world.
Ii What we have a,'.~eady said may indies
re that we regard the decis. on OF the Regents
Il. eminently wise, and as neal, in accordan
al with the Will Of Smithson as possible und
of the act Of Congress empowering the H"ger
w. In some respects We do not deem that :,
Of and the consequent management Of the Ins
I'D tuition, the wisest that could have been fram
re for the purpose avowed namely, to incrct
as and ditiuse knowledge among men.
n. many things were attempted to be done "
,y, the means at disposal; for, although bal