The leader., 1897-08-25

floor beneath the apartments occupied
by the supreme court.
The departure of the congressional
library from the capitol building marks
ar epoch in the history of that struc-
ture, and it is an epoch which should
stand forth in future history. 1t is an
epoch which marks the growth of this
great republic.
Mark you. The capitol building is
the greatest and most magnificent leg
islative building in the world. There is
no congress, nor parliament, nor reich
stag, nor other parliamentary body in
the whole world which has such a
palace. The congress of the United
States sits in the most roomy as we'll
as the most beautiful building of its
kind in the whole world.
But the congressional library has
grown so that it must be taken out of
the capitol building, and housed in a
splendid edifice erected for that pur-
pose alone. There is a lesson of pa
triotism in this fact.
The proper place for the congression-
al library is in the capitol building,
where the congress convenes and as
sembles. The congressional library
should naturally be placed in the same
building with the congress. Anybody,
even those who have never been in the
national capital, will see that this state
ntent is correct. For concrcteness and
homogeneity the congressional library
ought to be close to the congress, for
the use of congressman; and therefore
il ought to be under the same roof with
the congress.
Well, that was thought of by the
original architect of the capitol; and
he set apart spacious quarters for the
congressional library. AS a matter of
fact, in that early day, the architect
was criticised for having devoted SO
much space 10 the library. But he was
a man of travel and of learning, as well
as one skilled in his profession, and he
foresaw the literary growth of this ma
ton. lie also knew that the library of
congress would necessarily contain all
of the great works of the world; and SO
he set aside ample space for the library.
But the world of letters grew more
rapidly than even that astute architect
could foresee. Moreover, Abraham Lin
coin appointed librarian who was a
veritabIe book worm. He has read and
digested more books than any other Ii
brarian in the world. Therefore Lii
brarian Spofford has omnivorously
culled from the worlds literature the
best and most valuabls children of the
brains of the greatest thinkers and
writers of all generations. Conse-
quently, the congressional library grew
and waxed strong, until it was finally
kampered for elbow room. Librarian
Spofford, for ten long years, begged the
congress to give him new building
At last, with the aid of two great men
Senator Morrill, of Vermont, and Sen
a,or Voorhees,, of Indiana, he succeeded
in securing the new building for the
congressional library. The congress,
like the people of this country, may be
slow; but the congress, like the people,
does nothing by fractions. When a new
library building was finally projected.
The congress was liberal and prodigal.
The congressional library is now being
moved into the most beautiful building
ever erected BY mortal man. Not even
the hitherto peerless Taj-Mahal. of the
Upper Ganges. can vie with this new
building in magniticence and beauty.
SMITH D. FRI.