New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-06-07
American science.


aside from the dusty and ihouy paths OF PARISH
warfare to the green fields oil literature and science
sc rejoice to record the good omen We rejoice.
co. to praise a political opponent and both these
pleasures we enjoy ia noticing an Introductory Ad
lress. delivered By the Hon. X. j. WALKER o.
Mississippi. the present Secretary Of the Treasu
W. before the National Institute al " ashing
on It's subject j. summary Of the various ~
orovemenis and discoveries made by our country
men in the inductyc sciences and the writer ha.
presented in a condensed but perspicuous state.
ment an array OF names and achievements which
should make US proud Of our national genius, which
mas made such advances in science in the scaniy
intervals which It has -natched from H. appointed
iestny of subduIng the forest and making the VII
iemess blossom like the rose. The address l. toe
.cr.e and compact 10 admit of farther condensation
but We viii extract a scattered few Of IL H0t2bih0
Al the world know and acknowledge the disco
.cries of Franklin in Electricity. but though they
confess that his genius has di-amcd the lightning
hey have been slow 10 recognize the merits ant
priority of subsequent American discoveries, s1cl
IS Hares blasting by galvanIsm, Morse Electro
telegraph and the ike. The recent magnetic Ob
,ervaiiOn Of DR.. Bache are OF great value and TIN
,ame philosopher first pointed out the analogy
he aurOra displays with those OF electricity D.
motion. Prot. Henrys galvanic magnet and Sax
.Ons magnetic. electric machine also deserve c-pc-
cial notice Ligkt and hcaf have been acutel1
xamined By RittenhOuse. Rumiord. Jocelyn anC
Draper AsfrOHOmy has to thank Godfrey. a Phil
idclDbia glazicr for the mariners quadrant The
,reai comet Of l,43 very accurately observec
III America, and the pcrodiciiy OF the famous me
eoric showers was first suggested by Prof DIN
stead of New Haven. DR. Wells OF South Caro-
ina developed a theory OF der. which has beer
pronounced TO be one of the most beautiful exam
ples of philosophic induction on record -NfcOrO'o
~. the science OF the weather. has been ably han
led by Messrs Espy Kedield and LOOMS. Il
Chemistry. the names of Americans who have ex
bounded and advanced the science are too hume
-ous 10 be specified.
Mechanics however. especially steam has beer
he sphere for the exercise Of American ingenuity
>feamb00fs were first made 10 move against win,
md tide by the AMERICANS. Rumsey. Fitch Ful
on and Stevens Oliver Evans IN 1910 move,
Ms "Anphbola," on wheels by s'eam more thai
{ mile through the streets OF Philadelphia 10 Oh,
liver Schuylkiil and there il TOOK to the water.
vas padded by steam 10 the wharvcs of the Dels
ware where it was 10 work as a dredging nacuint
Fulton was the first successful steamboat. Sic
sens the first that navigaied the ocean; Olive
Evauss the first high pressure engine applied u
.leam navicaiiou' The first steamboat that eve
ro,sed the ocean was built by one Of our country
men. and their skill in naval architecture has bceI
put in requistion BY the Emperor OF Russia al,
he sultan OF Turkey" An American Engineer
Major Whistler, has been sent for by the iorme
monarch 10 supcrnteud the gigantic Railway iron
t. Petcrsburgh To Moscow. The original idea
nc pneumatic Railway now exciting 80 much m
crest in Europe was derived from the confri vanct
IF an American. quite unknown 10 fame"
In abstract Mathematics, BOwdiich is placed BE-
side Laplace: and Prot Anderson Of New York
y hose mOdcstv Obscured his talents az home. ha
received abroad, from such men AragO, th,
aishesi tributes OF respect.
In Orniiholocy, Wilson end Audubon in Bota
nv Bartram Barton Darlington, TOney Gray anC
Nuttall in Conchology. Barnes Conrad, Lea anc
and in Geology Maclure. ~illiman
Hitchcock Nanuxem, Conrad Maiher &c have
made themselves honorably known in Europe a
well a. America.
But we do injustice TO the subject b. such al
imperfect abstract OF IT, Al these scattered ray
ongit TO be concentrated into one focus and il !
with this view that Mr.. WALAER urges men of sci
.uce OF the L Mon 10 come forward and unite Wit
he people in sustaining the National institute
" Rising above local and sectional influences IL ap
peals 10 the friends OF science throughout the IA
ion and asks the support OF all with view TO the
General diffusion Of knowledge and advancement
oi American science IL does not pretend 90 tcacl
he men oi science Of the nation bat seeks instruc
ion from them and appeals 10 them for light ano
aid and cncOurage Incnt IL asks them 10 come for
ward in a patriotic spirit. and make this lnsti.ui,
worthy Of the great nation al the seat OF who's,
government I. Is placed. and where only the
scattered lights OF American science can converg'
10 a common centre. and ratiate thence throughout
the circle of the whole MON