The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-08
Tribute OF Respect TO the Memory OF sears
g. walker.

AkAOute Oh gAo1P<CS " 49, $1,000
g. walker.
A meeting of the officers and members OF the
Coast Survey in Washington was held at the Coast
Survey Office on the I'd instant; and, on motion of
Lieutenant Commanding j. ] Amy, United States
Navy, Professor A. D. BAcHE, Superintendent of
the Survey, was called to the chair.
Upon taking the chair, Professor BAcHE adj
dressed the meeting as follows:
We have met to pay our tribute of respect and
feeling of our most distinguished and valued
associates, SEARS G. WALKER, esq., whose failing
health for more than year past has kept US in
anxiety and fear for the result which has now
come. Mr.. Walker was attacked by bilious fever
some weeks since; and though his mind was clear,
his physical strength was not adequate to resist
the effects of the disease He died at the residence
of his brother, Judge Walker, near Cincinnati: on
Sunday evening last, having the consultations Of,
the devoted care of the members of his family re-
siding there, and of his sister, who had been sent
for to Washington.
The services which Mr.. Walker has rendered to
the coast survey are known in a general way to
most of those whom address. He had made the
largest collection of American observations of
the country, and prepared to discuss them tho
roughly for iongitudes, and to bring them to BEAR
as tar as applicable, by the geodetic results of the
coast survey, upon the longitude of central point.
The magnitude OF this labor would have appalled,
an ordinary mind. He knew that by perseverance
1t could be accomplished. During this discussion
he reached the conclusion that the longitudes
from moon EXAMINATIONS could not be reconcled
with those from occultations, and that the theory
must be REL examined for an explanation. His pub
llshed reports show the successive steps of his in
vestigation which was not completed at the time
Of his decease. In the mdst of it, the new, al
tractve, and important subject of determining diff
ferences of longitude by the telegraph was COM
United to him, and he threw all his zeal and know
the solution of this problem, and brought
it to the successful condition in which it now is.
He early saw the impossibllity OF reading near
result by merely repeating the transmission and
ception of signals, beats of clock chronometer
and that the beats sent received must be time
keepers regulated to different times-as, for exam
pie, mean solar and sidereal and seized all the
sequences moving from this principle. The tele-
graphing of transits of stars original with him.
He soon became satisfied of the necessity for gra-
phc registry of the time results, and invited the
cooperation of Mr. Saxton, of Mr.. Bond, of PROBES
sor Mitchell, and of Dr. Locke in the solution.
With him originated the application of this method
to the registry of time observations for general
astronomical purposes, now developed by 80 many
ingenious modes, and known the "Amercan
Method" His researches on galvanic wave-time,
growing out of these experiments for difference of
longitude, are by far the most valuable contribu-
tons yet made to this branch of science In this
subject alone Mr.. Walker accomplished most
remarkable five years. work; but this was only
part of what his mind found there to do, and,
aside from this and labors of daily and nightly
routine in computing and observing, he accom-
plished work-inyestigation of the orbit and
computation OF an ephemerls OF Neptune-which
of itself would have given him an undying reputa-
ton. cannot in this place describe how the train
ing of life was obtained which led to these bril-
liant results for our work, and for American sci
ence; nor can trust myself now in an analysis of
the mind and heart Of this friend for many years.
have family pencilled his doings while closely
connected with our work, shadowing merely his
claims to our admiration, respect, and gratitude.
On motion of SAMUEL Helm, esq, Brevet Cap
tain ]. G. Foster, corps of engineers, was ap-
pointed secretary.
L. F. PoURTALEs, esq, then presented the fol-
lowing resolutions:
In view of the great services rendered by Pro-
fessor Sears c. Walker during his connexion with
the coast survey, and especially in the complicated
but essential Investigations connected with the
iongitudes, in the method of using the telegraph
for differences OF longitude, and in time observa-
tons generally; of the lustre reflected upon the
work by his other great researches in astronomy
and electricity; of his many excellent qualities as
an associate
regret and sorrow the decease Of our much-respect
ed colleague, Professor Sears C.. Walker, and
mourn tor his loss to US as friend and associate,
TO our work as one of its most dstin gush he'd, zeal :
ous and efficient officers. and to American science
as one of its most ardent, persevering and success
full cultivators.
ResolUed, That we will wear the usual badge of
mourning for deceased colleague.
Walker our heartfelt sympathy in their grief, al
ievated only by the consciousness of the watchful
with which they attended him in failing health
and in his last illness.
RESOLVED, That the proceedings of this meeting be
communicated to the family of Professor Walker,
and be published.
In zeconding the resolutions, Major /, l. STE
VEINS, corps of engineers, paid the following tri-
butte to the memory of the deceased:
Ma. CHAIRMAN: After the touching and COM
plete exposition which have just heard it would
be work of supererogation on my part to add one
single word in illustration of Professor Walkers
character and services But should do great
injustice to my own feelings did | not draw from
bis example lesson to guide US in life. Professor
Walker was not only emphatically man of genius,
bringing strong powers of mind, great natural
ardor, and indefatigabe perseverance to pursuits
for which nature had given him particular bent,
but he was emphaticaIIy far-seeing and national
man, who was prompted to exertion that he might
advance the honor and renown of his country, and
assist to give her foremost rank in science. He
has done much in placing our country in this fore
most rank, as is her due, her purpose, and her
duty. With our newness of circumstances, with
the great problems of human destiny and pro-
gress We are called upon to solve, with the motives
to exertion growing out of our admirable form of
government, he felt that mere equality with for
mer efforts miserable failure, deserving but
rebake and reprobation. Our duty was to take
the lead, to press forward in discovery, to ilumne
the future, and redeem the past.
We are brought together from various DEPART
ments of the public service, and are associated in
a great public work. Like him, should seek,
each in his sphere, to advance the honor and re-
nown Of our common country. We each should
make it our purpose to do something for his pro-
fession, which, while it will secure the greatest
possible present efficiency, will be preparation
for those great exigencies which happen to men
and nations, and which lead, if rightly understood
and availed of, not only to national glory, but to
worldwide usefulness and honor 1t is great
mistake to suppose that the mere routine of daily
tabor can lead to great results. This can be done
only by iar-reaching view of things; which
sweetens labor, and gives life and light to labo-
rious pursuits; which fills the soul with hope, and
gives to intellect it's greatest vigor Such
pre-eminently the case with our departed friend.
His intercourse, too, with the youthful aspirants
for scientific distinction most admira BILE.
1 have at times been thrown into intimate
personal relations with him, and frequently
have | been delegated with the paterna in
terests which be took in all youths of prom.
ise associated with him, and his untiring perseve
rance and hope in doing what he could to develop
their powers. 1t was to him an intense personal
qualification. and would be the subject of frequent
Conversation. Ought not this example to impel US,
each with the means be has at his disposal, to de
yelop youthful promise, and thus do our part to-
wards rearing The structure Of American greatness?
1t was Professor Walkers profound conviction that
wherever American hearts and hands were Joined