The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-26
CONN UNICATIONS.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
mR. wALxER's Address.

Communicated.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
ma. wALKER's Address.
Our attention having been lately called to this IN
teres,ng establishment by the publication Of its third
bulletin, we were particularly struck by the address
of the Hon. Mr.. Walker, now Secretary Of the
Treasury, the meeting Of scientific men, held in
Washington, in April, 1874.
Il appears that this meeting was held at the invi-
tation Of the institute, and that Mr.. Walker was
lccted ON behalf of the institute TO deliver the open
ing address. We believe all those who will read
the address will agree with that the selection
extremely fortunate, and that Mr. Walker has ac-
quilted himsef with singular ability, showing a
mind highly stored with knowledge Of the scientific
efforts Of our country.
We had thoughts, at one time, of condensing the
whole but find, upon she perusa Of il, It il al
ready condensed production, that we shall limit
ourselves to few extracts and few remarks, and
to recommending the attentive perusai Of IT, as 1t has
been widely circulated in pamphlets form.
Mr.. Walker commences by noticing the meeting,
the cause Of it, some Of the objects Of the institute,
and the position which 1t ought and 10 destined to
occupy. Upon these points we Will give his own
words:
Th, II the first general meeting Of the friends Of sci
encs ever convened IN washington II is assembled at the
cspsof the Union the call Of the Nstona Institute
This institute i located at ne home q the federal govern
Union Rising above local and sectional Influences, aP
peal, 2 ns ssds Il % n,eese S the n,01 sn
Of knowledge and advancement Of American science II is
not the q %ps the u.s
ties In any u DE States but would desire establish he
and this institute the cordial relations
gehsr with recprocala aid and Experience
has proved that one institution however distinguished
Of ANY State can bring to Its aid the combined efforts and
vancement Of liz nstitions and here only all
hey ond the limits Of all the States and unite
be truly national only In rs location but in ell its ope
rations Whilst the hopes Of this Institute most eleva
sa ao ss no ssm 10 he
summed tho position Of scientific institution; does not
instruction from them appeals them for light and aid
and encouragement y asks them to come forward in a
nation ct the seat whose government 1t placed and
where only the scattered lights Of American science
throug hout the circle ofthe whole Union"
Then, after briefly abiding to the influence Of sci
ence over the destinies and comforts of man, he
adds, in the noble spirit Of genuine philosophy:
aAll who have contributed to results Of whatever
age cline grattude but to repeat the names
inquiry 10 our own country men, would still transcend
limits address omiiting then the whole range Of
ne various and discoveries made by our own
countrymen in the inductve sciences"
His first subject nthe order the address is elsctr-
city; and as might well be expected under this head,
stands pre-eminenty the name Of Franklin name
honored eserywhere, and acknowledged throughout
the civilized world as the great dscoverer, and
the one who has taught mankind how TO guard
against the terrible effects of 80 destructive and aw
ful an element
He next shows the efforts of our countrymen
in gairanism, mentioning the names of its distin-
guished votaries, and referring to their expe-
rments and discoveries, and to efforts made and
being made in various parts of our country by mag
netic observations and in making magnetic surveys.
He then touches upon the connection between cleo
trcity and magnetism with heat and light, abiding
TO many interesting experiments and observations.
In astronomy, he gives TO our countryman God
frey the just merit of having invented the mariners
quadrant, which enables the venturous seaman to
find out his heretofore unknown path upon the track
less ocean. He alludes to the labors Of Ritten-
house and many others, and to the establishment
Of various obscrvatories.
Draper and others, and Of Priestly and Cooper,
who lived in his native town of Northumberland,
Pennsylvania. We learn from this article that the
distinguished Cooper was one of his preceptors;
from which may infer reason for the philo-
sophie turn Of Mr.. Walkers mind and for the great
attention which he has evidently given 10 philosoph
ical inquiries.
x His illusions TO the Steam engine and to inn
provements in the useful application Of steam, are
full of interest. So also is his notice of patent
Office as the depository of the inventive genius of
America. He pays in few words Just tribute to
invention he speaks of as having "altered the des-
tinies Of one-third Of country, and doubled the
exports Of the Union"
Then he refers to those branches of natural his
tory which involve correct knowledge of animated
nature in all its varieties and also TO our efforts in
mineralogy and geology.
Interesting notice is taken ofour various discoveries
in geography, referring TO names and surveys. And
also Of our efforts in improving the ART and practice
of medicine.
The address comprises about fourteen closely
printed pages of valuable matter. He remarks to-
wards its close:
'Mos imperfect has been this sketch-omittng from
necessity many who ought to have been namedi
ii presents proofs that couutrymen have not
sciences whilst they time established
and administered government founded upon principles
and far trancending all its as the happ
Of the whole people 10 above that Of the few. Our
appeals Heaven for light and aid and support; and
in6dely only deny the success of such government
tpe advancing march Of mankind and their progressive
city for sell government moving EDWARDS aud upwards
10 knowledge in virtue and religion"
He also remarks, ''among the most valuable re-
suits Of nductive science is the strong additional
evidence obtained in favor Of the great and glorious
truths of the Christian religion"
We beg leave 10 call particular attention to his
concluding sentence:
LET me close by declaring that IL the Of science of
the Union VIII come forward and unite with the people in
sustaining and advancing the National Institute they will
make worthy Of the greatest freest nation Of the
world and contribute much towards placing our beloved
country far above all others the know as
snscends all Its contemporaries and
in administered and for the benefit Of The
peopler
n4 A.
Communicated.
LAKE DEFENCES
Your some,ime correspondent of the Globe ~
L. M. - commenced about two months ago, to show
that nv IDEAS about Lake defences are "unreasona-
BILE and impracticable." His piece, you recollect
,vas headed No I: and he wound il up by telling