The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-15

I
/ II 10 not many years since Sidney Smith, reveren
gentleman who regarded our counlrymen with feeling
not very dss,miar TO those which il might be pardon
able Tor an orthodox Christian TO entertain for the gres
enemy OF mankind and who not igprobably considere
me Yankee typus as the last disguise OF that many
headed parsonage, inquired, "Who reads an American
b0ok z: we are not certain whether any one wal
found 80 bold as 10 confess the soft impeachment. A
any rate. one OF the most prominent writers among ou
TRANSATLANTIC relatives has very recently thought it des
rable TO place on record his firm conviction that neither
great thought nor great deed, a great man, hat
originated in America, and that thu sole achievement
OF the republic thus far had been we blush TO sa,
what
Gentlemen like these would probably deem j, pre-
sumpiuous 10 speak of American science or scientific
men, and is therefore with becoming didence that
would venture N the present article TO treat OF Amer
America.
Bat as the last few weeks have witnessed gathering
from all the Corners Of the land Of the devotees of sci
ence there seems appropriate topic Tor the con-
sderaon OF those who desire follow the progress o
scientific research than that suggested by the meeting
OF the American Association for the Advancement o
Science.
From forest and crowded city. from the mountain and
the prairie, from Atlantic and Pacific, gulf and lake
there bad assembled a band OF men upon the beautiful
shores OF Erie, voaries OF science, to communicate
to another the results Of their researches, 10 take
counsel together Tor the promotion of scientific nvesti-
CATION 10 our country and BY the exchange OF views and
sympathes 10 encourage one another in the arduous path
which the American scientist is at present called to
tread.
Let US take the meeting Cleveland as our text and
from the short history Of the association and it's present
aims and influences, let us draw differences as TO the
present condition and augnres as to the future OF science
in America.
The first meeting OF the American Association for the
Advancement ct Science held at Philadelphia in the
year 1s46. The biologists Of the country had some
years previously formed associations. the original OBJ
ject of which the selection and adoption of UNI
form system OF geological nomenclature, but which sub
sequenily so far enlarged its scope 10 assume the
name OF Association of American Geoogsts and Nat
uralsts, and TO include among lis members representa-
tves of numerous departments OF natural history Partly
in consequences OF the immature scientific development Of
the country, and in part pefhas account OF other in
nuences not necessary 10 mention, the experiment
not successful and at the OF 1S47 this body
ted to Dissolve in order to take part in the organization
OF national scientific association upon larger scale, and
to certain extent similar 10 the British Association for
the Advancement Of Science, which had existed in Eng
land Tor sixteen years. and had been productive OF hume
rous beneficial results
Such an association is evidently from The nature of our
institutions, from the intellectual and physical condition
of our country and from the character of popula-
ton, calculated TO far wider and more potent
uence than could be expected or attained in any other
nation.
The earliest Congress OF the kind was that founded
in Switzerland by Gosse, twho conceived the first dea
user, and Melssner The FIRST regular session was held
at Berne in 1916 In 1926, through the exerons OF the
lamented Oxen, similar association upon larger scale
formed in Germany. The example was followed
not many years later By England, France and the Scan
dinavian kngdoms--in all wih eminent and in
with brilliant, that there remain but few por
tons OF Europe where science is cultivated that do not
fall within the boundaries Of some one OF these scien-
thc associations. There is something in the very
sembng OF men earnestly enlisted in the same cause,
deeply imbusd with similar tastes, and all striving for
the end, which, like the heaping up OF embers,
nurses the ere OF enthusiasm into fame all exps
rience teaches this IL trle that every successful in
vesligalion eyerv result OF careful and laborious
search every scientific discovery, s, and be, The
dvldusl a Unit The CLEANS o truth which are 10 re-
ward the labors OF the OF science. and TO light and
cheer his path, not TO be struck of by the contact
OF fin, with steel, yet By the friction of similar
dssimar Materials they resemble rather the celestial
lire which s surrendered only 10 skill, 10 daring, and 10
power The heights OF heaven 10 be scaled, the fire
is 10 be snaiched from the eternal altar There
king of the rough places smooth, nor the low places
high There is royal road the palhs narrow and
pecpitous II is eminenly the individual who thinks;
is 10 The man and not TO any association OF men
tb the elegant device, the difficult formula, the absruss
,heorem, the great law are revealed No widespread or
gsnzatop, no large association can create genius The
grca the powerful the lusirious, may congtegae from
all the regions OF the earth bat not the crash OF worlds
can strike out spark OF genus or one ray oil thought
But cordial sympathy and helping hand, the stimulus OF
emulation and the recompense Of applause--ihese may
be given As Sir William Hamilton has said-and who
knows better than he =
Even In the very slenec md solitude of It's meditaons
genius s essentially sympathetic II is sensitive to infu
from without and iegn would stretch selt abroad
and embrace the whole circle of humanity with the
strength OF world graspng love tor fame, u has been
truly sad Is love disguised The desire of fame is a
form the yeaming after love- and the admiration which
rds that desire is but glored form o that familiar
and everyday love which binds In common life
friends whom We esteem
The motives which led 10 the formation Of the Ameri
can Association stated IN liz constitution, 10 pro-
mote, by periodical and migratory meetings, the inter
course between those who cultvang sc4ence in diff
fereni parts Of the United States to give stronger and
more general impulse and systematic direction 10
scientific research IN our county, and TO pTocsre for the
labors of scientific nen increased facilities and wider
usefulness
Twenty years ago, how many Americans busted them.
selves with original investigation What countryman
of venured upon the OF lIfe with only Sci
ence for his helm, his sails, his anchor. and Truth hs
only destined hsven In the various classes which CON-
posed the community there place for the seek
OF truth, +" the merchants OF light = and had station
been assigned them, there were TO MI IT, Bow
ditch must labor at the desk all day that be might find
the means OF study al night; and must spend twothrds
OF his working hours in counting dollars and cents for
others that he might earn enough 10 publish 10 the
world the truths which his active brain could elicit in
the remaining time. A Pickering must drudge
cuons and processes and charters and licenses while
the sunlight shonc, in order ,ba, bis midnight oil might
illumne the world OF letters. Oar greatest and most
venerable seminares OF learning selected the who
should represent the OF country, solely with
reference 10 their supposed qualifications Tor teaching
boys the rudments of learning within The four walls Of
recitation room-negsciug that higher that equally
important function Of university the instruction OF men
ond its walls and the dspsnsaion OF light to all the
world
All this was natural, and perhaps not improper
-" The need that pressed sorest
Was 10 vauquith the seasons, The ocean, the forest
To bride aud harness the rivers, the steam,
Making that vhh her miil-wheels, this tug in her team
The exile on unirodden shore must look TO the
earth before he gazes the stars except perchance to
gather hopeiuness. He must seek his food before he
writes poetry build house before he carves
sta,ses And the men of America were 10 be educated