308 WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. [1853 



on evil ; which, while it is capable of conferring blessings 

 on this city and this country, may be the means of propa- 

 gating error, and of administering to the selfish ends of de- 

 signing men. There is no city in which a society of this 

 kind requires to be more strictly guarded against baneful 

 influences. The partisan politician may attempt to make it 

 the stepping-stone of his political advancement. The pseudo- 

 inventor, who seeks to enrich himself by pirating the labors 

 of humble and unobtrusive genius, and the speculator, who 

 wishes to impress Congress with the importance to the coun- 

 try and to the world, of a scheme intended to benefit himself 

 alone, will be untiring in their endeavors to obtain the cer- 

 tificates and recommendations of the Institute. They will 

 approach its judges and its committees with soft words and 

 insinuating manners, and will not hesitate to offer bribes in 

 such sophistical terms that, while cupidity is excited, the 

 conscience is lulled to rest. 



The location of this Institute at the seat of government 

 of this vast Union will turn all eyes upon it, and will conse- 

 quently tend to give it corresponding power and influence. 

 But it must be recollected that in proportion to the conspic- 

 uousness of the position occupied by institutions or individ- 

 uals is their responsibility to society increased. The higher 

 they stand the more secure must be the principles on which 

 they are supported. When men build upon a false founda- 

 tion, the greater their elevation the more certain is their fall. 



There is no place in this country where motives and acts 

 are more critically examined than in the city of Washing- 

 ton. There is none in which capacity, honesty of purpose, and 

 a prudent, straightforward course are more necessary to con- 

 tinued success, and none in which deviations from right, 

 whether intentional or otherwise, are more readily detected 

 and exposed. 



The mere organization of the Institute, however well it 

 may have been done, is not sufficient for its perpetuity and 

 usefulness. It requires the constant application of individ- 

 ual effort to sustain it ; the unwearied labor of a few master 

 spirits to infuse the constant supply of vital energy ; and 



