The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-02
From The Maoayk Daily Advertiser.

Literary OOCietleS ol hulScIs SoucSt, at
the last commencement, by Joseph p
Bradley, esq, of this city, and now fresh
from the press. We have read it with
unqualified pleasure, and turn from the
perusal to commend it to the attention of
our readers. Its leading object is to show
that ''no important progression of society
rs ever to be expected or hoped from any
radical change in the human character, or
in the organization Of society itself, its IN
stitutions and laws.'' Ii rests the hopes
OF human amelioration upon "the increase
and diffusion of knowledge and the torma-
ton OF more enlightened opinions among
mankind;o and the discussion is conduct
ed with masculine energy of thought and
style. In both these attributes it is much
above the standard of ordinary holiday dis
courses. The handling of the subjects
shows habit of earnest, analytical reason
ing, and becoming reverence for truth.
While the great fact of social progress is
fully and fondly conceded, and without
the least appearance OF sympathy with
hypochondriac conservatism, no counte-
nance whatever is gwen to the presump-
ton Wilhelm spite of all experience and
the teachings of immutable truth-would
assume human perfectibility as the basis
for new and untried schemes Of social eco
nomy and happiness. The true 'grounds
and possibilities of progress" are, in fact,
fairly Disseminated.
The gradual Improvement in the condi-
ton of society-the fact that the world is
hot fNr h. g, 81.
it ever was before-that we are at least
better off, if not better, than our fathers
were, is strikingly exhibited in the open
ing paragraph:
elf we take but brief survey of the progress of
human affairs, within the period of historical know
ledge, must be struck with the great and inn
portant changes which the face of society has pre-
scented at different periods Could Egypts wisest
priest, in her days of glory--could Socrates, wit
ness 10 the highest development of Greece-could
Cicero familiar with the grandeur of Rome-now
rise from their long sleeps could they be transported
along the path of civilization, through the fields and
vineyards, the rural villages and the crowded marts
of commerce of Western Europe; could they rest
their feet our own peaceful shores, and visit the
abodes of freedom In our prosperous and happy land
could they here witness the universal diffusion of
know ledge, comfort, and happiness-the vast and
multiform machinery which science, enterprise, and
wealth have erected and constantly employ, in the
promotion of the general economy of society, with
out the endorsement or oppression of the individual
citizen-but to the individual as we'll as general
happiness and development; could they whole
people acknowl Lodging and respecting not only the
great moral truths which they were at so great
pains 10 eliminate and teach, but recognising and
acting upon the principles of a moral code far in
advance of theirs; could they pass Sabbath day
in of our villages, where, for brief season, the
plough and the hammer arc laid by, and the peo-
pie, old and young, assemble together in their
could they witness all this, what are the impress
sions which We may imagine would crowd upon
their minds! Would they not fancy themselves
transported TO the tabled islands Of the blest2'
After brief survey of the successive
gradations through which this vast change
for the better has been produced, and the
occasional relapses that have been expe
rienced in human progress through the
want OF influences now widely diffused
and steadily acquiring new yigor, the ora
tor reaches the conclusion, that the at
tsinments of the past are secure, and thus
proceeds
Taking il for granted, then, that the progress
Of science, and Of its applications 70 the arts Of
lie-n other words, the progress OF mans insight
into and power over nature-is not 10 meet with
the retardatons and distractions which were for
merly 50 fatal thereto; may indulge in deli
ciOus wonder at the revelations that yet 10 be
made. Only the beginning has hitherto been seen.
The UNIvERsE il before Us, and We can be said 20
have done little more than 10 get ready for it,
animation. New elementary substances are yet
% be discovered in matter-hsying, perhaps, an
important bearing upon the economies Of nature;
ususpected relations and operations Of known sub
stances are to be- evolved; new uses Of these sub
stances are 70 be- discovered; new worlds are ~ BE-
searched br and found, ia the yOds Of space; and
new relations and movements Of known SYSTEMS
l.. HsaaN.
yances and perhaps new modes Of locomouon, arc
vet 90 b. displayed; new discoveries and Inyen-
ious in all the arts 10 BE- Effected nature and
al her powers yet 10 be harnessed into the SER
vice Of man the human system, and the inhu
cnces that effect IT. health beauty and perfection
are ~ b. more fully explained; language, and it
,unnc1iOn with and bearing upon the elucidatiun
Of history poetry, and philosophy, logic and clo
quence, are vet ~ be more closely and carefully
analysed the records Of the past The scriptures Of
religion, the monuments Of the law, 30 be more
thoroughly eIplCstcd and understood mind H.
self and IT, cOnneKiOn with matter j. ~ b. further
explored and whilst We may not ever hope 10
banish all mystery, We may still hope 10 dispel
many mystcrics, and 90 approach nearer 10 a per
,eptiOn of that chain by which all being j. sus-
pended from the throne Of God
"Wehave the more reason 20 augur well for future
Advancement in the sciences, In Consequence Oi the
superior methods u investigation and the more
n lsrou. logic which have been adopted. The phi
lD-.,phic caution Of the experimental philosophy,
whilst ~ generates more ldfuys prO1ufcs Dctttf
grounded certainty In the conclusions 10 which Il
fives Step by step the hill Of difficulty j. climbed;
very inch made, l. ~ much forever gained.
There are now. very few rctrOgressiOns the road
o. -rience-because every thing b. weighed and
proved and nothing j. taken for granted. ESpe-
dient are multiplied upon eTpedients Tor testing
and cross examining every new hypOthesis, and
every new proposition.
s.ncre. then, j. a field fOr operations IN which we
have good assurance that shall work Ia vain.
Here fn the fair field Of science, Of Wit
Messing. and perhaps Of contributing b. human
frogrcss. Great advances have already been made
atbiu the lat two CenturIes- nay, within the last
half century. And what hss been tue result, u
la revoutOnized the face IT the civilized world.
o. influence like the approao hing -ea, hss silently
rrept beneath the very buttrsscs 81 society, and,
stb IT, ov.r slow bot mighty rising, has uplifted
tb. whole fabric upon its ma estc bosom. The
,.ui6cstiors Of this influence have reached the
DAY laborer no les than the princes 81 the land;
they are felt IN every cottage and on every bill
side. and they will still continue 10 reach and be
felt throughout every department, and amongst
every class 81 society. Industry. comfort health,
intelligence, have born sown, broadcast, over the
hnd The professional grinber may now and
tlien make reference 10 the good old times :
BOT nObDdy would think u returning ~ 1--we m
ihsm'