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engaged in by the United States. The educational, scientific, and patriotic value of such a collection for all future time cannot be overestimated. The value of museum material of this character as a force making for the increase and diffusion of patriotism is very great and has been recognized as such to a marked degree in all European countries. A notable incentive to patriotism is offered by the perpetuation in museum form of the memories of the men and women who have given their services, and in many cases their lives, for their country's good, and of scarcely less value is the preservation of objects relating to those branches of the public service to which these men and women belonged, and to the events with which they were connected. On the whole it may be said with entire safety that no one educational and cultural activity of similar character could be undertaken by the United States government at the present time with the more hearty approval of the people of the United States or one of more relative value to the country at large than the one under discussion. This has been very clearly shown by the interest evinced in all objects and data connected with the present struggle which the people of this country have been in a position to secure and by the numerous inquiries concerning the possibility of the making of such a collection in a larger sense by the government itself. 

II

THE AVAILABLE MEANS OF MAKING SUCH A COLLECTION

In view of the magnitude of the proposed work and its importance as regards not only the present but the future, the