Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-11
GRAFTON OF MR.. WEBSTER,

At the Capitol, on the occasion of Laying The
Cornerstone Of the Extension Of the Capitol.
CONCLUDED
| But l return to the leading topic on which |
was engaged. In the department ofinventon there
have been wonderful applications of science to arts
within the last sixty years. The spacious hall of
| the Patent Office is at once the repository and
proof o. American inventive art and genius. Their
results are seen in the numerous Improvements by
which human labor is abridged.
Without going into details, Tiny be sufficient to
say that many OF the applications of steam to loco
motion andmanufactures; of electricity and magne-
tsm to the production ofmechanical notion to the
electrical telegraph; to the registration of astron
omical phenomena; TO the art of multiplying en-
cravings; the introduction and improvement
among us of all the important inventions of the Old
World are strikingly indicative of this country in
the useful arts.
| The network of railroads and telegraph lines
| by which this vast country is reticulated have
not only developed its resources, but united
emphatically, in metallic bands, all parts of the
| Union.
The hydraulic works of New York, Philadelphia,
and Boston surpass in extent and Importance those
| of ancient Rome.
| But we have not confined our attention 10 the
immediate application of science to the useful arts
| We have entered the field of original research,
and have enlarged the bounds of scientific know
ledge.
| Sixty years ago, besides the brilliant discove-
| ries Of Franklin in electricity scarcely any thing
| had been done among US in the way of original
discovery. Our men of science were content with
| repeating the experiments and diffusing know
ledge OF the discoveries ofthe learned of the Old
World, without attempting to add single new
| fact principle to the existing stock. Within
| fho asf tuynp Nv rzoh1
| improvement has taken place in this respect. Our
natural history has been explored in all its
| branches; our geology has been investigated with
results of the highest interest to practical and
| theoretical science. Discoveries have been made
in pure chemistry and electricity which have re-
ceived the appreciation of the world. The advance
which has been made in meteorology in this
country, within the last twenty years, is equal to
that made during the same period in all the world
besides.
In 1898 there was not in the United States an
instrument with which good observation of the
heavenly bodies could be made. There are now
instruments at Washington, Cambridge, and
Cincinnati, equal to those at the best European
observatories and the original discoveries in as
tronomy within the last five years in this country
are among the most brilliant of the age I can
hardly refrain from saying, in this connection,
that La Place has been translated, explained and
Bowdtch.
Our knowledge ofthe geography and topogra-
ply ofthe American continent has been rapidly
extended by the labor and science of the officers
of the United States army, and discoveries of
much interest in distant seas have resulted from
the enterprise of the navy
In 1907 survey of the coast Of the United
States was commenced, which at that time it was
supposed no American was competent 10 direct.
The work has however, grown within the last |
few years, under a native superintendent, in i'm |
porance and extent beyond any enterprise ofthe |
kind ever before attempted.
These facts conclusively prove that a great adj |
vance has been made among us, not only in the
application of science to the wants of ordinary
life, but to science itself in its highest branches
in its application to satisfy the cravings of the
immortal mind.
In respect to literature with the exception of some
books of elementary education, and some theological |
treases of which scarcely any but those of Jonathan
Edwards have any permanent value, and some works
on local history and politics. like Hutchinson's Massa-
Belknaps New Hampshire, and Morse's Geography
and few Others America had not produced single |
work of any repute in literature We almost
wholly dependant on imported books Even our BIZ
bes and Testaments were, for the part, printed
abroad. The book trade is of the greatest
branches OF business and many works OF standard value
and OF high reputation In Europe as we'll as at hone
have been produced by American authors in every de.
partrnsnt of literary composition.
While the country has been expanding in dimensions
in numbers, and in wealth. the Government has applied
wise forecast in the adoption OF necessary
when the world shall no longer be at peace, main
tain the national honor, whether by appropriate dis
plays of vigor abroad or by well adapted means ofde-
fence at home. navy, which has SO often illustrated
history by heroic achievements, though restrained
in peaceful times in its operations to narrow limts pos
sesses in its admirable elements the of great and
sudden expansion, and isjuSy looked upon by the ma
ton the right arm OF its power: army still small
er but less perfect in its detail which has on many
field exhibited the military apudes and prowess Of
the race and demonstrated the wisdom which has presi
ded over its organization and government.
While the gradual and slow enlargement these re-
speclve military arms has been regulated by Jealous
watchtuness the public treasure, there has, never
theess been freely given al that was needed to perfect
their quality and each affords the nucleus OF any en-
argement that the public exigences may demand, from
the millions OF brave hearts and strong upon the
land and water.
The navy is the active and aggressive element of
national defence; and let loose from our own seacoas
must display lis in the and channels of the
enemy: do this need not be arge and it never
be large enough to defend by its presence at home all
our ports and harbors But in the absence of the navy
what the brave hearts and strong arms Of the army
and militia do against the enemys ne-o battle ships
and steamers, falling without notice upon coast q
What will guard our cities from tribute. merchant
vessels and our navy yardsfrom conHagraton! Here
again I'VE forecast in the system OF defensive
measures, which, especally since the close Of the
with Great Britain has been steadily followed by our |
Government.
While the perils from which great establishments
had just escaped yet fresh in remembrance sys
tenn of Notifications was begun, which now, though not
quite complete fences in important points with i'm
passabe strength. More than four Thousand cannon |
may any moment, within strong and perm. anen |
works. arranged with all the advantages appliances
that the art affords be turned the protection OF the
coast; and be served by the whose hearhs they
shelter. Happy or US that it is so, since these are
means OF security that time alone supply; and
since the Improvements Of maritime warfare by max
ing distant expeditions easy and speedy, have made
them probable and The time more difficult
to anticipate and provide against The cos Of forli-
flying all the important points OIL cur whole Atlantic and
Cult OF Mexico frontier will not exceed the amount ex-
pended on the Notifications of Paris.
In this connection one most important facility in the
defence OF the country not to be overlooked; it is the
almost instantaneous rapidly with which the soldiers of
the and any number of the nilitia be