The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-26
Democracy Of science-No. /.
BY JOSIAH HoLBRooK


Democracy OF Science-No. L.
B BY JOSIAH HoLpRooK.
Consolidation and diffusion are two operations distinct
and opposite. Both witnessed in wealth, govern
men religion, knowledge and nearly every thing human.
However applied, the is despotc and the other demo-
cratic. The nature OF and the progress OF society
tend TO consolidation at the expense of diffusion The
spirit OF epubllcansm is to promote diffusion and put
checks upon consultations and that too, connected
with all the leading interests Of human beings
Democracy Of science is the subject now under view.
The true democracy oil science is :" TO INCREASE AND
DIFFUsE KKowLEDGE AMONG MEs"-the design OF Smith
son. This also not only great, but The great object OF
national and State pocyno TO consolidate but 10 df-
fuse knowledge and knowledge interesting to ALL espec
ally farmers and mechanics, they constitute than
seven-eighhs of all civilized communities.
The development and the application of the natural re-
OF country stand first and foremost in fur
nishing that kind Of knowledge interesting TO all 1t
shows possessions and the modes of using themstricy
the "Use OF TALENTS" But, with development and APP
pcation there may be diffusion; there may also be con-
solidaton. 1t is thing have mineral
developed and knowledge OF them SO daused that ev.
cry farmer may know the character and capabilities oil
his own fields 1t is quite another thing 10 have
county subjected to scientific explorations, however full
aud completes and the results placed in ponderous vol
umes and those volumes confined to the shelves OF COL
stood. The is diffusion, the other consolidation.
The ore is carrying out the purposes Of scientific ex
ploraons and applying the knowledge obtained by them
for the benefit of those who need and those who paid
for il the other is evidently peryersion of funds de-
signed for dilIusve knowledge, wealth, morals, and
power personal pride and individual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
The one tends to democracy the other 10 despolsm.
As the spirit Of the age is the democracy of science
the diffusion, not the consolidation OF knowedgc-an
attempt will be made TO point out several subjects OF sci
ence, with such plans and modes OF promoting them
will tend bring knowledge 10 every mans door, and
give to free by every farmers and every
mechanics daughter As the schools OF our country
constitute, ought TO constitute not naonai uaiuer-
sty" but a"uSvERsITY THE NATION special endeay-
ors will be made to present such subjects, Plans and
modes as will aid in training the young beings compos.
ing them for in their future vocatons-to put
them the track OF PRACTICAL SCIENCE, PRODUCTIVE
INDUSTRY, AND CHRISTIAN MORALS"
DEMOCRACY OF sCIENCE.-No. H. s.s.l
The elements of science purely democratic. They
are in all places al all times and obedent 10 their own
laws, neye swervng iota Each renders aid to all
the rest together making perfect and glorious whole
One OF these elements constitutes about half OF globe
the animal, vegetable, and mineral Kingdoms This most
abundant element also the powerful agent in the
workings Of science. II is in all, and for all created
things, nearly II heavcs lungs lights and fans
our fires; decks forests and all creation with their
beautiful hues; shvers mountains into rocks and crum
bles rocks into soils converts soils into the majesty Of
forest, The verdure OF plain, and the richness of
garden changes the products Of forests, plains, and
gardens into beasts OF the field. birds OF the air fishes Of
the sea, buzzng insects and all creeping things with
the whole of animate nalueembracng the lords OF this
lower creation, having dominion over the whole
This same element and agent in vast creation as
Stimulates things the most diversified and opposite and
again separates into atoms things assmiaed by the most
intimate and perfect union. II is constantly performing
services the most dssimar and opposite in character
and yet always in perfect harmony completely carrying
the great designs OF the Creator OF all In most of
the wcnder-workings OF this wonderful world this one
agent always present. and always active bat can only
with and for all kindred agents. however diversified
their Offices dssimar their work. II yields s,rc,
obedience 10 It's laws and yet is dependent upon the
same obedience from all the rest, in their respective
agencies, for accomplishing the grand work OF this
created universe II such is the abundance Of one eIe
men and such The power Of agent and both one and
the who doubt but the knowle OF should
be as widespread as lis existence or its powerl
How strange, then, how mysterious that those profess
ing mould pabe young beings by the elements OF sci
ence wisely designed for them by the Author both Ct
the beings and the science, should have them in charge
month after month and year after year. and not once ex
hib to them this abundant element or even name
office OF this most powerful agent! The mystery is
more ysierious when II is known, as every one must
know, by the ayidty with which every young spirit
drinks in such knowledge that the highest possible de-
light is added to the richest and enduring ins,ruc
ton, by supply to their bodies, minds and souls OF food
no evidently and so abundanly provided for them
But thanks be 10 science and to humanity thai mighty
change Coming our country and the world in The
kind OF knowledge taught. and the modes OF teaching H.
instruction is in rapid transition from words TO lhings
from signs OF ideas ideas themselves from shadow 10
substance from saying to doing from speculation TO
production; from consolidation to diffusion from few
10 the whole
NorE The name OF the element and agent presented
above is deferred to future OCCASION that teachers may
have the privilege of fret presenting i 10 their pupils
and parents 10 their children.