The New York herald., 1850-06-12


the idea of producing some great practical results,
from the application of electricity to water, and,
after series Of long continued and patient sx-
periments, discovers and announces to the world
a new and important fact in physical philosophy.
The startling promulgation that water, at will,
through the operation of electricity, can be con-
verted either into oxygen or hydrogen, at first is
coldly received by large portion of the men of
science; but the bold truth is announced, that
the patient deliver into the peneralia of nature, has
succeeded in deriving from water, by simple APP
paratus, motive power, heat, and light, each of
them of any desired power and intensity. Scarcely
has the truth been made known, to be discussed
and to be doubted, or to be believed, according to
circumstances, when the practical demonstration
is made kncwn TO asionish and excite, and TO till
the commercial and scientific world, alike, with
the most active conjectnres to the changes
about to result to society from the stupsndous
discovery and invention. In view Of the exuaor-
dnary character of the discovery, and of the prac
tical applications of it to thousands of the great
purposes of lfe-the propelling of steamers across
the ocean, and around the worldthe heating of the
humblest dwellings, or the most extensive palace,
and the lighting of private mansion of village
or metropolis-the mind is aroused to contem-
rapid progress of practical science is destined to
produce upon the happiness of mankind. Men are
almost led to think that with them, well with
the Creator, all things possible and that we
have arrived at an epoch in the destiny of man,
that will change the whole surface of society.
The moral effects of the great practical discovery,
to be sure, are not foreseen, but they be easily
conjectured, when we reflect upon those already
arisen from the discoveries of Calico, Columbus,
Gottenburg, Faust, Fulton, and other distinguished
laborers in practical science. Paine's name will be
Transmitted with these, to distant ages in the future,
while the generation now living will acknowledge
his greatness with a singleness OF admiration not
usually accorded to living genius. All will be pre-
pared to exult that they are, indeed, living in an
age which may be emphaticaly called the age of
light.
While in the midst of this joy, however, at SO
great practical discovery, the Christian philoso-
pher is bowed down with shame that we are, in
moral sense, existing in age of darkness-one as
full Of superstition as that which ruled in the mid
die ages. There is no imposition, however mon
strous it may be, that does not gain its proseyes
with rapdity that keeps pace with the progress of
physical truths and discoveries. Within the last
few years. in this country, and in some of the most
enlightened parts of Europe, no uncomfortable
numbers of persons have been the willing rninions
of the most absurd deceptons, and some OF these
have been persons distinguished for what are called
mental accomplishments Under the individuality
Of character displayed by Matthias, the prophet,
hundreds followed him as the vicegerent of the
Almighty After him, came the Mormon leader,
Joe Smith, whose teachings have established a
whole nation Of followers. More recently, the va
ried learning of that celebrated courter, statesman
and theologian, Emanuel Swedenborg, diluted and
amalgamated with the epileptic philosophy of the
French magnetizers, has been poured forth by An
drew Jackson Davis, the seer Of Poughkeepsie,
who finds no science or the Geological theory too
subtle for his dogmas, and who has drawn around
him circle Of the qvid wwmcs Of modern socialis-
tic science. And now, the concentrated essence
Of this lore, which is the basis of the most DANCE
rous and mschievous superstition, is displaying it,
self in renewal of some antquated impositions, so
cleverly worked as to conlound some persons ac-
credited by the world with fair share of intelli-
gtnce. We allude to the business and exhibitions
of the Rochester family, who support themselves
by playing, as teleeraphs, between this num-
dane sphere and the "bourne whence no traveller
returns" Their deeds are full Of mystery, but
not more 80 than that Of many other imposi-
lions, based on similar designs II is in these,
and in like inventions Of the wicked heart of
man, that we perceive the darkness OF the age.
Superstition keeps pace with practical progress.
As science enlghtcns, superstition darkens; md
even the living scmblance Of Christ himself is now
exhibiting in France, with his hands, feet, and
side, oozing blood Such are the tricks which are
resoried to by the ingenuity Of man, to sway the
creduty Of the ignorant, and to confound the in
tellignt In view Of these things, we may we'll
believe that the darkness Of the age is made darker
by the light tina, is given 70 bless the ply sical
and moral atmosphere.
Morally, socially, and politically, too, the anita
gonim oG light and darkness may be seen through
out the world, and particularly, in this country.
While we are giving the world the great demon
s'ra,ion Of the beauty, efficiency, and power Of re-
pubcansm-while we are displaying in the march
Of political progress the proud results OF equal free
dom in enterprise and commerce--while genera
ton after generation is rismg up with new bless
ings, and with new sources Of prosperity and hap
pness-we find the hungry and unsatisied spirits
Of socialism, the mad disciples Of Fourier, and the
devolees of ideal distractions and panthesn, burst
ing out in every imaginable and unmsginahle
shape Of folly, and injecting with poison all the
relations Of well remuneraed labor, sapping the |
Of religion, and abridging the purity Of
the household hearth. Our republican institutions |
are as brilliant heacons in political progress, send
ing food Of light throughout the nations Of the
earth, and Illuminating the true path of the people;
yet, with these to guide mankind, we find those I
are preparing TO dash down that which it has |
cosi the world much 10 establish, and the dark
ness Of socialism and anarchy is sought by thou /
sends, who love the impractcsble. because they \
are too idle 10 deal with the practicable.
Assuredly, then, this is the age Of darkness az
well as of light. We need some moral Paine to I
meet the emasculstod Tom Paiaes of in6delty and l
abstract theory, and to produce from the waters Of
truth, great, powerful, and steady light. for the
good Of those benighicd socialists who would keep /
the social and political world in darkness.