330 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



He saw no reason for any distinction between the moral 

 and physical sciences. If such a library as was contempla- 

 ted by the honorable Senator from Massachusetts was es- 

 tablished, there would be no danger of the physical sciences 

 being slighted ; but he hoped that these great moral and 

 political sciences, which so intimately concern the temporal 

 and eternal destinies of man, would have their appropriate 

 space in this great receptacle of human knowledge. 



He had been led to these remarks because his firm and 

 solemn conviction was, that we now have it in our power to 

 do more good to this nation in our day and generation, by 

 a judicious and wise application of this five hundred thou- 

 sand dollars, which has been put into our hands, than by the 

 application of the twentj^-five or thirty millions we are in 

 the habit of annually appropriating. 



He was glad that it was the sense of the Senate that this 

 subject should go back to the committee, to be matured and 

 deliberately acted upon, and that there was to be brought 

 forward a plan of some great and noble foundation, which 

 would realize, to the fullest extent, the magnificent concep- 

 tion which suggested this donation. He was opposed to 

 any limitations, he was opposed to any distinctions between 

 the great branches of human knowledge. In the republic of 

 letters all stood upon a platform of equality; and if we 

 have a library at all, it should be co-extensive with the lim- 

 its of human knowledge, and with the design of the donor 

 — " the increase and difi'usion of knowledge (of all sound 

 knowledge) among men." 



Mr. Phelps suggested a modification of the amendment 

 proposed by the Senator from Kentucky. It was to shape 

 "his proviso so as to say " That, in the selection of such books 

 as were necessary to form a complete library, due regard 

 should be had to works of science," &c. 



Mr. Crittenden accepted the modification. 



Mr. Bates protested against any proviso which would limit 

 the selection. It was wholly unnecessary, because no great 

 national library could be complete without the very works 

 alluded to. 



Mr. NiLES did not think it came within the purpose of 

 the donation to establish a great national library. If the 

 donor thought that the best way of increasing and diftusing 

 knowledge among men, he would have enjoined the estab- 

 lishment of such a library. He was in favor of a prudent 

 limitation with regard to that branch of the institution, and 

 should therefore submit a motion to that effect. 



