106 [Senate 



additional stimulus be needed, we have but to reflect for a moment 

 upon the objects around us, which, because they are familiar, fail to 

 impress us with a just idea of their importance. Compare our popu- 

 lation now with what it was thirty years ago; look at our steam- 

 boats, canals and rail-roads; and last, though not least, our noble 

 aqueduct, which, whatever may be said of it when compared with 

 the ruins of other ancient works, stands unrivalled in the world at the 

 present day; and all these the offspring of a few years. 



The Managers, however, are not visionary enough to believe that 

 such an establishment is likely to be seen here very soon; but they 

 would ask whether it is in reality more visionary to suppose that such 

 a fabric might be raised upon the foundation, presented by the 

 American Institute as it now exists, than it would have been fifteen 

 years ago, to suppose that the American Institute, from nothing, 

 would in so short time, have attained the position which it now en- 

 joys. We are not ourselves aware of our own standing. Like 

 " a prophet who hath no honor in his own country, we are more re- 

 spected and valued abroad than at home." At any rate, something 

 must soon be done for our future accommodation, for even the tenure 

 upon which we hold this room, is an exceedingly precarious one, and 

 to accomplish any thing, the individual and combined effort of every 

 member and friend must be brought into requisition. 



JOHN CAMPBELL, CA'w. 



S. S. Bowman, Scc'y. 



mw-York, Jan. 12, 1843. 



