7 



How best to put this Smithsonian Institution in progress; 

 to give it definite character and views; to shape its line of march 

 as Congress has either ordered or intimated that it should be, and 

 to let the testamentary purpose be apparent in all its operations, 

 was a task on which ability and much consultation have been 

 expended. There were — I may almost say, necessarily, and of 

 course there were — on this cardinal point, great diversities of 

 sentiment and construction, as there had been during the mas- 

 terly debates which prefaced the passage of the law. What 

 constituted "knowledge" in the sense of Smithson's bequest? 

 In what manner shall its "increase" be provided for? By what 

 methods shall its "diffusion" be sought? Should the develop- 

 ments of the laboratory be more engrossing than the stored 

 resources of the library? Will oral expositions, or printed 

 treatises be preferable? Are permanent professorships to be 

 systematized, or temporary teachers to be enlisted? In fine, 

 what should be the instruments and the orbit of an establishment 

 whence the light of knowledge was required constantly to radiate 

 among men ? 



They to whom was confided the resolution of these problems 

 into practical measures, have felt the weight and delicacy of 

 their mission. They began by profoundly studying the subject 

 in its several aspects. They cherished with ardor, and discussed 

 with freedom, their respective projects. The conflicts of upright 

 minds, however, rarely fail to end in mutual concession and com- 

 promise; and thus scarcely a single measure was adopted except 

 by unanimous concurrence. The Regents have submitted their 

 labors and conclusions to the country — the report of their pro- 

 ceedings was duly made for legislative supervision; and may they 

 not confidently hope for (what they know nothing of theirs can 

 succeed without) the cooperation and sympathy of the American 

 people ? 



There are some results to be anticipated from the success of 

 the Institution, which, though not as obvious as others, are never- 

 theless such as no sound American heart can wholly disregard, 

 and which it may not be misplaced to glance at. That we shall 

 fulfil, in the presence of watchful civilization, an admitted obli- 

 gation, and that the common mind of our country, on which the 

 permanency of its liberties so closely depends, will be exalted 

 and invigorated, are considerations abundantly strong to rally us 

 all to the manly effort. No greater shame, and no greater loss 

 can readily be incurred, than would be consequent on ignoble 

 failure. But may it not be justly said that the mild and genial 

 influence of this establishment will strengthen and tighten the 



