The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-11-11

jisisal ius.itStions vii &c cimitated IL 9th
er sections Of the world mas admit Of
great doubt But the spirit Of industry
Sa Developed here---its Intelligent free
dom. easaeat g:geagth, and heroic bold
ness-mRst penetrate the heart of the
world; and il we we're asked to point out
she R"blSst service that our country has
ypaSe4G 10 humanity, re should select
she spectacle Of its rsjoioing and triumph
sat activity. The moral Of American
hbsrsy u In onr fields, in our workshops,
pai song o4y ,srcFded th0roughfares -
Gewi"undland Fishing Banks, Peruvian
Islands, Northwestern wilds, Texan prai-
pies, and Pasl6c slopes have sxempilfed
,the meaning "f our independence. There
is great soul in American .pdpstry, and
IL 10 doing vast work, not QRly for Us
but for the world,
AlirrioH has already been made TO in
ysRtions and disroYeries in shsir bearing
ON human activity. Inventions, ospec-
ially such AZ have sigpalized this practi-
cal age, are ,bepefactiops 70 the world -
So fay as their economic value is concern
gd they can scarcely pc computed. Take
she simpler forms Of machinery, and their
productive power is amazing, By the
hid of machinery one man is able in stone
dressing TO perform as much work as
5penty msP by hapd, while in cotton
lpianirg one Intelligent American opera
tiye 10 equal 10 three thousand OF the
nost expert spia9ers 10 HindOstap, But
IL il not in thiR REV that We wish to con-
template them. They have a far higher
value. Tnyepsiops are the eounterparts
Of those great works that ilnmortalize the
literature of people, and act as the sonrc-
S4 of inspiration to all ages. Homer,
Plato, Shakespeare, Miltou-such men are
the croYped monarchs of mind, swayiug
scsptres that aone dispute. But man is
blso creature Of the physical world, aud
il he needs genius to serve him in intel
1sctusl tastes and cnjoyments, he equally
needs it to promote his earthly wcll-being.
The few nluseelcvate the many, Such
n the decree of Heaven everywhere, in
every thing. One ocean feeds many
clouds, one sun illumincs many stars, one
genius blesses many generations. Nor let
il be supposed that genius has its chiet
sphere in the production CT poetry and
philosophy, as if this were the main work
God had appointed it 10 execute In any
estimate Of life intellectual and spiritual
interests must always take precedence,
but il were folly to deny that great
thought embodied in al invention should
not be appreciated as an invaluable con-
tribution TO the treasures of mankind.
Inventive genius operates through matter
stern and stubborn matter-that will
mot change its nature, nor abate its fore
90, nor alter ita laws. If that genius in
vestigatss its properties, scizes its strength,
sud brings itG very magnl6cence into the
service Of its race, it performs majestic
Office, and ensolls itself among the digni-
sariss OF mind. Men look on the ear,h
- mere dwelling place, a transienthom
Q cradle, and grave. These are unwor-
thy ideas-unworthy because of their
Sanitation. They are not the Divine
tdsas Of the material universe. Open the
Bible and read of the earth, ut is his
footsto0t;" and then consider that man is
che appointed and endowed agent to aIorn
and beautify this footstoo. Sent into
the world TO do this work as we'll as to
prepare for future being, man ends
matter 8 discipline, test of his intellj-
Sence and skill, theatre for expansive
and extensive effort. Inventive genius
10 the highest expression Of HIS complete
sympathy with nature 1t is a sacra-
mental fellowship with her grandeur, a
token Of the restoration of that beautiful
intercourse which sin interrupted Is
there, then, no moral power in great
Invention Is the inventive spirit of the
pge bringing nothing to humanity but
piston rods, cranks, and complicated
wheels? The first thing that God did in
che history Of the world was to prepare
D perfect home for perfect humanity
and now, for redeemed man, the work of
Yeitting the earth to be n suitable habita-
sion is in progress. This thought gives
significance to inventive genius in it's re-
lations to modern activity, Certain it is
shat an improving race needs an improv-
lhg world; sure are we that they cot and
interact on each other; and hence the tre-
mendous impulse that has been pommu-
picsted to mechanical genius and active
industry is token of holier morality, 3
more gentle aud tender brotherhood,
pursr spirituality in the ages awaiting
humanity.
Nor must we omit to notice the cduca.
tive power Of inventions aud discoveries.
II these are the products of quickened
thought, in turn they impart new life to
mind. Men who can not appreciate Pla-
30 and Milton can comprehend steam
engine, 8 galvanic battery, a telegraph,