The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-03
Geological s.rvey .r sA~ s.....


i We anticipated much from the admins
tration of Gov. Crittenden. His qualifca
tons were Of the highest order. He had
been prepared by long service in various
offices Of the government Of his country
for all the liberal, enlarged. and elevated
duties OF craftsmanship. With fame as
broad as the Union, he came from his place
in the Senate to adorn the Executive chair
Of his native State. The first act of his
administration displayed the rich treasures
OF his long and varied experience. His
message was a monument of the wisdom
and virtues Of its author. Ii was not con.
fined to the usual and technical, routine of
State legislation; but was replele with SEN
timents OF national interest and importance,
and enforced views and recommendation
to develope the resources and promote the
greatness Of the Commonwealth, quite as
essential as the ordinary police and COM
mercial regulations.
Such was the policy which suggested a
Geological survey of the State. Unthink-
ing minds cannot perceive the wisdom of
appointing an officer TO travel over the
State, TO look at its surface, examine ils
stones, and it may be, turn over little of
its soil. They would regard it as useless
mummery promoted by superstition. But
science would delight in such an enterprise,
because
at finds tongues in trees, books in the running
brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing"
Nature is great text book, and at the
same time its own commentary. Blind
chance does not control its operations
They are the results Of an allwise contri.
vance, and disclose to the studious and
thoughtful mind their own harmony and
beauty. The earth is now no longer re-
garded as merely blank waste of matter,
a solid mass of clay for men to tread and
hocks to Craze upon. But its structure, its
external appearance, its rocks and sands,
are subjects Of interesting investigation
which lead TO wonderful truths. The
farther and more diligently ihese researches
are prosecuted, the more astonishing will
be the developments disclosed. They will
throw great light ON subjects of intense in
terest TO man.
Geology is no longer thing of conjec-
tuIe and speculation. 1t is a science. Its
discoveries have established its truth. To
explain the internal formation and structure
Of the earth from It's external appearance,
and through the knowledge thus obtained
dispel the obscurity or confirm the truth of
history, and aid many other sciences, are the
services which it renders TO mankind
When applied TO our noble State, none can
fully foretell its advantages. Some Of its
greatest riches may be yet unrevealed. A
vague idea pervades the minds of the peo-
pie that our mountains are the repositories |
of an abundance of mineral wealth. As |
long as they remain in their primeval vii. |
derness, untrodden by any but the hunts
man, their treasures will be valueless.-t
Who can tell what scientific Geologist |
might discover in only one years diligent |
exploration. Fountains of wealth might |
be disclosed in the discovery Of minerals |
or other substances, which would add in
calculably to the greatness and prosperity |
of the State. Our land, may be titled,
the plough may run its furows through the
soil, and for years it may be adorned with
cultivated vegetation. Yet even then its
properties will not be falIy known to its
owner. Because he has not studied the
science which will inform him. New and |
more profitable modes of cultivation, bet
ter rotation of crops and increased fertility
of the soil, might be the results OF care
full examination by skihul Geologist-I
A great light might be thrown upon the
science itself which would Senefi, the whole
world.
Other States have been greatly bene.
fitted by attention to this subject. 1t is a
poor economy which denies to us similar
advantages. Every farmer in The Com
monwealth is interested in 1. Every cit.
izen should feel its importance. We be-
lisve yearly appropriation should be made
for the purpose. If not successful at first,
it will ultimately rebound 10 the wealth
and honor of the State. Yet the small
sum of $500 is denied BY the Legislature
for such a useful obje;t. -Maysuills
Earle,