Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-17

WASHINGTON, Dec 16.-(Special TO The
Bee)-A visit TO the national capitol Is moi
complete without an inspection of the
Smithsonian Institution and National Mu-
seum-the repository OF thousands Of val
uable articles Of historic interest which can
not be seen elsewhere in this or any other
country. 1t is perhaps Of interest to many
10 know that the modern expos tions, such
as the Transmississlppi and International
and others OF recent years, have added very
materially to the collection of relics to be
found in the National Museum.
For a decade the institution struggled
against many adverses and very limited ap-
proprlations to establish the nucleus for a
national museum that would reflect credit
upon the scientific researches of our gov
ernment and afford receptacle for the
relics that are the passing mhestones or
civilization. However, the government has
in recent years taken more active interest
in the exposltions held in various parts OF
the country and these have educated our
people to realize the Importance OF pre-
serving such articles as represent the ad-
yancement OF our republic in its social, COM
merclal and political pursuits. 1t also az
fords the National Museum an opportunity
to select from among them such articles OF
historic and scientific value as might make
q complete government museum.
For instance, the congress of Indians at
the Omaha exposition has proven of inestl-
mable aid in completing the splendid COL
lection of relics OF a race fast declining
whose tribes have receded before the ad-
vance march of civilization. The Catlin ex-
hibit of Indian relics, which occupies a
commodious room in the west wing of the
National Museum, and which Is always
source OF unusual interest to the thousands
of visitors has been greatly enhanced in
value by the many articles of Indian dress
and implements of warfare, photos, etc.,
which were added by the government agents
from the collection OF exhibits made at the
Indian Congress and Transmississippi EX-
position at Omaha last year. Perhaps no
such opportunity wilQ again ever be pre-
sented to secure these relics, and the gov
ernment took advantage OF improving 1t
as can readily be observed by the now COM
plete collection to be found IN another room
adjacent to that of the Catlin collection.
It was very apparent that the Indians
themselves, who were present at the Tras-
mississippi Exposition were as much inter-
ested in the work for the preservation of the
relics Of their race as their white neighbors,
for they were not only interested spectators,
but greatly assisted in bringing articles
from their reservations that could not have
been secured otherwise by the government
and then only at very great eXpense-and
these, together with much data, were turned
over to the government to be deposited in
the National Museum at Washington for
the edification of future generations.
The great Worlds Fair. where the people
of the world brought various articles for
tnd m
for research and collection that was made
the most of by the managers Of the gov
ernment museum at Washington. The At
lanta and Nashville expositions brought out
many relics valuable of ante-bellum days
that have found a place in the cases made
for their preservation, while the Centennial
at Philadelphia unearthed articles of colon
ial times that would never have been thought
worthy Of preservation being lost to mem
ory, but for the fact that their presence at
this sexpcsition awakened in the minds of
our people desire to have the same pre-
served at the National Museum where gen.
eratons OF young America to come might
revive their patriotism while reviewing
them.
Each exposition has been distinctively diff
ferent fulfilling the demands of a cosmopol-
itan people in various territories, and that
they have been beneficial educators OF the
masses cannot be disputed Many were the
expressions OF regret on each occasion that
the splendid structures Of architectural
beauty and their contents were to pass from
view when the time arrived for the closing
of the several shows, and yet with few ex-
ceptons have the same in any way been
preserved in any Of the localities in which
they were held. But the government has
seen the wisdom of selecting such articles
from among the collections as were Of more
Importance and retained the same as me-
mentoes of invaluable record in years to
come.
The governments great Museum buildings
at Washington cover more than five acres of
ground, whose galleries and corridors are
filled with rare and choice articles-repre
senting collection worth millions Of dol
lars-and seldom a day passes but that a
thousand to two thousand people pass within
to view the same. The wonderful increase
in the collection and the great interest the
public manifests in the same Is largely the
educational results of the expositions held
throughout the country within the past few
years With each recurring show the Ma
THE HEALTH HARIT