The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-06

Daehe superintendent Vi 'pe s9'sst was Sasa " tus
chair.
Upon taking the chair Professor Baehs addressed tho
meeting as iollows'
We have met 10 pay our tribute Of respec, and feeling
to one OF our most distinguished and valued associates
Sears c. Walker, esq, whose failing health for more
than year past has kept Ia anxiety and lear Tor the
result which has come. Mt Walker was ailae ked
by bilious fever weeks since and though has mind
was clear has physical strength was not adequate 70 re-
sis the effects of the disease lie died al the residence
OF his brother, Judge Walker. near Cincinnati, ou Sun
day evening last having The consultations OF he devoted
care OF The members OF his family residing there and oi
| his sister, who had been sent for 10 Washington.
The services which MIR Walker has rendered 10 the
survey known 10 general way 10 most oil those
whom address. He had made the largest collection oil
American observations OF moon EXAMINATIONS and oe-
cullaons made in the country and prepared TO DIS
cuss them thoroughly for longtudes, and to bring them
to BEAR far applicable by the geodec results OF me
survey, upon the longitude OF central point The
magnitude OF this labor would have appalled, an ordinary
mind, He knew that by perseverance, II could be
accomplished During thus discussion, he reached Tue
conclusion that the longiludes from moon cuimlna-
tons could not be reconcied with those from oceul-
ations and that the theory must be reexamined Tor
an explanation His published reports show the sue
cessive steps oil his investigation which was not com
pieted at the tine of his decease la the midst OF IT.
the new, attractive, and important subject of detenin-
ing differences OF longitude by the telegraph was commit
ted 10 him, and he threw all his zeal and knowledge into
he solution OF this problem aud brought II 10 the success
full condition in which it now Is He early saw the i'm.
possibility OF reading near result by merely repeating The
transmission and reception OF Signals beats oil clock or
chronomeer, and that the beats sent and received must
OF time keepers reg ualed to different tmesas, for ex
ample, solar and slderea and seized all The conse-
quences flowing from this principle The telegiaphing OF
transls Of stars original with him He sooa became
satisfied Of the necessity for graphic registry OF the time
results, and invited the co operation Of Mr. sax'on OF
Mr. Bond, OF Professor Mitchell, and OF Dr. Locke IN ihe
solution With him originated the application OF this
method to the registry OF time observations Tor general
astronomical purposes now developed by so many inge-
Nous modes. and known the '' American Method"
His researches on galvanic wayet me growing out OF
these experiments for difference of Longitude by far
the most valuable contributions yet made this branch OF
science In this subject alone Mr. Walker accomplished
most remarkable five yeats work but this was only
part of what his mind found there do and, aside from
this and labos OF daily and nightly routine ia computing
and observing, he accomplished Workinyesiga'ion Of
the orbit and computation OF an ephemerls OF Neptune
which OF itself would have given bm undyng reputa
ton cannot in this place describe how the training of
life was obtained which led to these brilliant results for
work, and for American science nor can trust my
self in analysis OF the mind and heart OF this
friend of many years have family penced his dongs
while closely connected with our work, shadoWng
merely his claims admiration, respect and gratitude
On motion OF Samuel Helm, esq, Breye, Captain J. G.
Foster, corps OF engineers, was appointed secretary
l.. +. PoInales Esq then presented the following res
oluons
In view Of the services rendered by Professor Sears
G. Walker during his counexon with the coast survey,
and especi ally in the complicated but essential invesga-
lions connected with the iongude IN the method OF using
servarons generally othe use reflected upon the work
by his other great researches in astronomy and electricity
D ms many excellent QUALITIES as an associdte--
Resolved That have learned with the deepest regret
md the decease OF our much respected colleague,
friend and associate, 10 our work rs one OF Its most DIS
nguished zsaons and efficient officers, and 10 American
science as one Of It's most ardent peseverng and success
Re,oivsd, That we will wear the usual badge of
ing for deceased colleague.
Resoued That we offer family ofProfesor Walker
heartfelt sympathy in their grief aieyiaed only by The
consciousness OF the watchfu with which they attend
ed him in failing health and in his last illness.
Rssotnd Thutthe proceedings OF this meeting be com
lshed
In secondng the resolutions Major /. |. Stevens,
corps of engineers paid the following tribute to the
memory Of the deceased:
Mr. CHAIRMAN: After the touching and complete ex.
position which we have just heard II would be work
of supereogaton on my part 10 add Que single word 10
illustration OF Professor Walkers character and services
But should do great injustice to my own feelings did
not draw from his example lesson 10 guide US IN lie
Professor Walker not only eRphatically man OF
genius, bringing strong powers OF mind great natural
DOR and interchangeable perseverance TO pursuits for which
Nature hal gwen hlm particular bent, but he was en-
phatically far-seeing and national man, who was
prompted TO exe5ton that he might advance the honor
and Tenown oil his country, and assist 10 gave her
foremost rank 10 science lie has done much towards
placing our country in this foremost rank is her due
her purpose, and her duty He felt that we bat dad our
duty in such an accomplishment. With our newness OF
circumstances, with the great problems OF human destiny
and progress called upon TO solve, with the
lives 10 exefon growing Out OF our admirable form Of
government, he felt that mere equality with former ef
forts miserable failure deserving but Febuke and
repobaon Our duty take the lead, TO press for
ard in discovery TO umine the future and redeem the
past
We are brought together from various departments OF
the public service, and associated in great public
work Like him, should seek, each in his sphere 10
advance the honor and renown OF common country
We, each, should make purpose 10 do something for
his profession, which, while il will the greatest
possible present efficiency, will be preparation for those
great exigences which happen to and nations, and
which lead, II rightly understood and avaed of, not only
TO national glory, but 10 world wide useiu ness and honor
II Is great mistake TO suppose tina, the routine oi
daily labor can lead 10 great results This can be done
only by taf-reachng view OF things which sweetens
labor and gives life and light to aborous pursuits which
oil. the soul with hope, and gives TO intellect s greatest
vlgor Such was pre.emneny the with our de-
parted friend. Hts intercourse, too, with the youthful
plrans for scientific distinction most admirable.
have at times been thrown into intimate personal rea
lions with him and frequently have been delighted with
the pslefna interest which he took in all youths OF prom
se associated with him, and his unng and
hope in doing what he could TO deveope their powers
IL was TO hun intense personal grafcaton- and would
be the subject Of frequent conversation Ought not this
example TO mpel each with the he has at his
disposal to develop youthful promise, and thus do
part towards rearing the grand structure OF American
greatness II Professor Walkers profound convic
ton that wherever American hearts and hands were
joined IN the accomplishment of object, peculiar
grandeur would attach 10 u, surprising all previous
complshment. Let such be conviction. IL is by
single like taking this large and grand view ol
duty, pursuing IL with hope and fixed resolve, that new
forms OF greatness will become known to the world As
IL with departed friend so let il be with us an
abiding sentiment giving direction to our daily life, not
10 minister 10 the qualification of personal or national
pride hut enable uspfutnpss