318 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



the want of more. But where are they to come from ? No 

 State is likel}^ to lay a tax to create a college library, or a 

 city library. No death-bed gift of the rich can be expected 

 to do it. How, then, is this one grand want of learning to 

 be relieved ? It can be done by you, and by you only. By 

 a providential occurrence, it is not only placed within your 

 constitutional power, but it has become your duty ; you 

 have pledged your faith ; you have engaged to the dead and 

 living that, without the charge of one dollar on the people, 

 you, you will meet the universal and urgent demand by the 

 precise and adequate supply. By such a library as you can 

 collect here something will be done, much will be done, to 

 help every college, every school, every studious man, every 

 writer and thinker in the country to just what is wanted 

 most. Inquirers after truth may come here and search for 

 it. It will do no harm at all to pass a few studious weeks 

 among these scenes. Having pushed their investigations as 

 far as they may at home, and ascertained just what, and 

 how much more, of helps they require, let them come 

 hither and find it. Let them replenish themselves, and 

 then go back and make distribution among their pupils ; 

 ay, through the thousand channels, and by the thousand 

 voices of the press, let them make distribution among the 

 people ! Let it be so that — 



■' Hither as to their fountains other stars 

 Repairing, in their golden urns, draw light." 



I have no objection at all — I should rejoice rather — to see 

 the literary representatives of an instructed people come 

 hither, not merely for the larger legislation and jurispru- 

 dence, but for the rarer and higher knowledge. I am quite 

 willing, not only that our "Amphyctionic Council " should 

 sit here, but that it should find itself among some such 

 scenes and influences as surrounded that old renowned 

 assembly ; the fountain of purer waters than those of Cas- 

 talia ; the temple and the oracle of our Apollo ! It will do 

 good to have your educated men come to Washington for 

 what has heretofore cost voyages to Germany. They will 

 be of all the parts of the country. They will become ac- 

 quainted with each other. They will contract friendships 

 and mutual regards. They will go away not only better 

 scholars, but better unionists. Some one has said that a 

 great library moulds all minds into one republic. It might, 

 in a sense of which he little dreamed, help to keep ours 

 together. 



I have intimated, Mr. President, a doubt whether a college 



