THIETY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-1855. 573 



productions of this sort our literature is rich and ample beyond that 

 of any other people. There is no way in which the patriotism and 

 virtue of a people can be so effectually fostered and strengthened as 

 by cherishing in their breasts an interest in their ancestry, in the 

 incidents that have marked the fortunes of their States, their towns, 

 and the scenes of their residence — the transmitted reminiscences of 

 their homes and firesides. It would be a great and good thing could 

 there be collected in a national library, in distinct alcoves, all valuable 

 publications illustrating the history of the several States of this Union. 

 Different processes of legislation and various social and political 

 influences have operated upon them severally, and the records of the 

 results ought to be here for the inspection and instruction of the 

 representatives of the people themselves and of the whole world. 



But if every other description of books is avoided or crowded out 

 there is one which surely ought not to be. If the resources of the 

 Institution are to be exclusivel}^ or mainly devoted to science rather 

 than to general literature and knowledge, it ought, at any rate, to have 

 within its walls a perfect and universal library of science and art — 

 not merely modern science and recent researches, but all the publica- 

 tions, of all ages and all countries, that illustrate the progress of sci- 

 ence, as such. If we can not have a universal library, give us, at least, 

 a scientific library such as no other nation can boast. 



One advantage of a liberal expenditure for a library, not to be 

 thought lightly of in a government resting entirely on popular opin- 

 ion, is that it results in something that shows for itself; the people 

 can see in it what has become of the money. It would forever grow 

 before their eyes, and in all coming generations, from its unap- 

 proached and ever-expanding magnitude, would be an object of per- 

 petuall}' increasing national pride. Under the present policy the 

 funds disappear, as they are expended, however salutary their appli- 

 cation ma}^ have been, and the only monuments are a few volumes, 

 admirable, no doubt, in their form and substance, highly appreciated 

 by scientific societies at home and abroad, but never seen by the 

 people. 



The short time allowed them, the necessary consequent inadequate- 

 ness of their investigations and deliberations, and the impossibility of 

 any legislative action by this Congress restrain the committee from 

 reporting any bill to the House; but in view of all circumstances, as 

 a measure of peace, as a mutual concession, which in such a matter is 

 the only way of settling a difficulty, they would express their convic- 

 tion that the compromise adopted at an earl}' day by the Board of 

 Regents ought to be restored, and that all desirable ends may be ulti- 

 matel}" secured by dividing the income equally between the library 

 and museum on one part and active operations on the other. 



The only other suggestion the committee have to make is the expe- 



