, 1859-08-27
The American Eelenti0a Association
and Its 1mEer0al 0lM enltfe1,

ana &k8 4Mk6f nj 01m miles,
The association whose recent meetings in
Springfield proved 50 useful and pleasant both
10 meznbers and citizens, has BEEN in existence,
under its present title, for some dozen year,
having originated from ! previous association
OF American GeoloKistd, Its present constitu-
ton was adopted at Albany in 1866, after con-
siderable llrely discussion, and seems to he
working we'll. Indeed, i. is wisely aud cautious.
y drawn; and in such a way thai it cores ponds
for the most part to the political constitutions
Of the general government md Of the States
Its draft is such, at least, as to provide for The
admission of members without unreasonable re-
strictions, and for the final decision Of all ques-
tons BY the members 1t large; while at the
same time. under it, there is possibility, as in
our political affairs, that its management shall
fail, Temporarily, into the hands of IN oligurchy
who may continue to bold control, SO long rs
they do not too directly infringe upon the rights
and privileges Of The masses. 1t is not strange
that portion Of the members, on the one hand.
should be dissatisfied with this popular charac-
ter Of the association, und the strict RESPONSE
b!i1tY OF the governing power to the will Of the
whole body; nor that another portion, on the
other hand, should be impatient that the rulers
should hase so much tether, and should be able
to 60 10 far before they can be compelled to re-
turn, or to resign their places. On the whole,
perhaps, the constitution IS it is mar be pro-
per mean between the two extremes, ike the
American OF British scheme Of government, and
un}ike the French democracy Of past times, or
the French absolutism Of the present.
Ii is because many Of the members hare this
latter opinion Of the structure Of their associa-
tion, tdat they resist change, in one direction
or the other. AT the Albany meeting, propo-
altion WIS brought forward By which The power
might be perpetuatei in the hands Of an oil
sarchy, and At the Springfield meeting, another
pEopus,ion was forced upou the attention OF the
members, which would give preponderance TO
the ruling power over the masses, and another
TO limit The power Of an influential standing
committee: All these propositions hare been
negatived by the popular vote; and the men,
beFs may now congratulate themselves that
these ye1ed questions are for the time ut rest:
while, under able lenders, the association may
90 on To- its scientific duties with catering
prospect Of harmony and success, until, agai1i,
US will naturally happeu; some aspirants may
think that another opportunity has arrived 10
secure its control in their hands, or nsain its
mcmbrEs shalt become rcstiye under the unwar-
ranted exercise ty the rulrrs Of The privileges
which they enjoy. Human nature, even amour
suvans, is not perfect nor nfalliole and it IS
hot to be expected that men Of science will de-
vote themselves simply to the alteration Of the
goddess they worship, SO long as some muy
fancy that emlnence is 10 be attained by secur-
ing eren and uncertain footing upon the heads
md shoulders of their fellows