The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-25
COMMUNICATION.
For the Ledger.
Virtue of Scientific Associations.

Virtue Of Scientific Associations.
Among the variety Of empIoyments that
engage the attention of man in his progress
through life, there is none more pleasing de-
lightful, and improving, than the pleasant
walks in the wide field of Literature and
Science.
There every association is agreeable
every advancement encouraging-everyd dis
covery profitable. The Wilderness of barbar-
ism, and rudeness of uncultivated nature,
when restricted to its refnements, attain
polish that almost battles the skill of artists,
and which elegantly serves as a bright mon-
ument of beauty and worth. In its associa-
ton the barren mind gathers in ideas, and
lays by store of profitable knowledge suit
ed to any cause or emergency.
The profundity of thought is discussed
with sagacity-the labyrinths of science un-
folded and developed, and the philosophy
of nature expanded to view. With lber-
ality unbounded by space and with free
dom void Of oppression, all grades are in
vited into its sacred retreat to revel amid the
professions of thought, and count the econ
omy of mind and matter.
There the illustrious sages of antiquity
assembled to investigate the hidden secrets
of science, and discuss the great principles
Of morals and philosophy. And there were
discovered the sublime phenomenon of the
heavenly bodies, the phases of the moon and
eclyPses of the sun, the motion of the stars
and the course of the comet.
The melody of music and passion OF poe
try-two of the most powerful agents
in nature, in subduing the deep and ma
lignant feelings of the soul, were never
shapen into being amid the low and litter
ate, but sprung and grew where science
fourished.
The advantages concomitant with such an
association, are paramount to any reasonable
estimate, and inconceivaby more numerous
than calculable. 1t is calculated to inspire
to great exertions, and noble aspirations; !;
and has been the honored parent of some Of
the most stupendous efforts of the human
mind.
The portals of Wisdom that were sealed
by the rust ofages have been unlocked, and
the blessings of science are now richly ex-
tended to the varied wants of suffering hu-
manty. The wings ofcommcrce have been
expanded until they monopolize the COM
modities of every cline; ard we can now
exchange with great facility, the delicious
fruits of tho tropics for the scanty products
of the polar regions.
Man, though the swift vehicle of thought,
has become the inhabitant of the world Mt
largo, and has given such play to his ingc-
nuity as to ride it on the lightning's wing
and talk at once the world all over. Such
are the benefits accruing from scientific as
sociations, that the whole civilized world has
become revolutiohized. Diplomatic agency
diffused with electric rapidity and the spirit
of freedom elevated TO the highest pitch of
refined liberality. No longer can the mon
arch on his throne, with unlimited sway, d.
rect the reigns Of royal dcspotism, nor
stamp the prerogative Of power No long
er can the Pope extinguish the lights of sci
ence, nor lead his subjects to ignominy and
shame. And no longer can the Crus do
preach the blind enthusiasm of the cross
nor chivalry sport in feats of cruelty and op.
preston. Tie days of anarchy, bloodshed,
and oppression are past; the lights of pro-
gressiye science revealed, and man begins to
feel the prerogative Of self rule, and self
preservation. No longer does he trust to
the syren voice Of potentates, nor yield to
he stern demand of dupedom. But with
the assistance of light and letters, armed in
the defence Of liberty, Re established the
landmarks Of freedom, and spurns the op-
preston ofinfuriated despotism. And from
the commotion u:at is now agitating the en-
shaved minds Of despotic governments, we
may judge with almost prophetic exactness
that the rule of arbitrary power is fast has
tening to close. Then will the manifes
tations Of freedom be fully realized upon
every port, and its rich blessings bestowed
upon those who are now yieldiI g TO the bit
ter smart Of cruel oppression. And then
will political equilibrium among nations be
established which imperial re ality can nev-
er disorganize, and which times progressive
march alone can demolish.