Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-25
We have watched with unusual interest, thu

bear this In nalnd.
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We have watched with unusual interest, the
progress of the several propositions in the
Legislature for the appropriation of a portion
of the proceeds of the sales of the Back Bay
lands, belonging to the State, for the encour-
agement of Literature, Science, and Art. 1t
seemed to us wise, that an early disposition
should be made of considerable portion of
the fund, before it should be made the subject
of political contest, and that it should be so
tation for greedy political adventures We
believed that it would, at any rate, soon be
appropriated to some purpose, and that 1t was
far better that it should be so used as to pro-
mote the highest interests of the State than to
have it squandered on comparatively worth
less objects.
So believing, the proposed appropriations
have commended themselves entirely to our
judgment The enlargement of the School
Fund meets with universal favor and approba-
ton, and does not need word in its common
dalton. 1t is an important and, under the
circumstances, an indispensable appropriation
1t will place the interests of primary education,
in the State, on a firm basis, and in n position
as independent as could be desired. The ac-
knowledged usefulness and success of Williams
and Amherst Colleges, and their Strengthened
means, justify and more than justify the pro-
posed appropriations for their benefit
The petitions of Tufts College and the Will
braham Academy were before the last Legis-
lature, and so strong cases were made out in
their favor, as to secure the united good will
of the Committee of Education il their be-
half, but as the State was then in debt, and the
success of the Back Bay operation was uncer-
tain, their application was referred over to the
present Legislature. The former is a new in
stitution, but there is abundant evidence that
it has already taken high position, and
promises much usefulness to the cause of gen.
eral education; and although at present con-
trolled by particular sect, it is one that has
never received any favors from the State, and
it was shown that there is nothing in its exer-
cises or general management that could be OBJ
jected to by those of any other denomination.
The Wilbraham Academy presented strong
claims. 1t is an old institution of great useful
ness, and has suffered heavily by being twice
burnt out, and under such circumstances as
deprived them of the benefit of their insur-
ance.
Important as these objects are, the remain
ing one-the appropriation for the Museum of
Comparative Zoology, proposes much more for
the present and future welfare of the State, and
it is therefore matter of peculiar satisfaction
to us, to that the vote in the Senate for that
appropriation, was stronger than either of the
others and approached to unanimity. If the
only beneficial effect of the appropriation were,
to secure the future residence of Professor
Agassiz here, it would be one wisely made
Professor Agassiz, in everything relating to
natural science, is the man of the age. He is
one of those intellectual prodigies, which are
given to the world, generally at long intervals,
to mark eras, and to advance the world a long
stride in its progress. He is, to natural sci
ence, what Napoleon was, or more than Napo-
leon was, to arms. He stands above all other
scientific men of the age, supreme and alone
This appropriation locates his magnificent col
lection, worth to the State and to science
far more than the amount of the appro-
priation, here. And, with it, it fixes the
future residence of Agassiz here. Around
the museum and around him, the world of
science will concentrate. Napoleon and the
French savans, well understand the importance
of this, and imperial inducements were held
out to Agassiz to fix his residence in France
in Paris. But his love of Freedom saved him
for us, and that, and the munifcence of our
State, if what is proposed shall be consum-
mated, will fix him permanently here. And
fixing him here, it secures to Massachusetts,,
for the age, if not forever, that supremacy in
science, which will be more honorable to her.
and of more real utility than any pecuniary
consideration. If the measure pass through
the legislature and is consummated, it will be
the great measure of the session, and one which
will be looked back to, with unmingled satisfac-
ton, for many long years yet to come.
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