Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-10

!. =, :, (, = = i, For the STANDARD.
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY.

a q ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY. b 3 !.
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DEAR Sin: II is little singular, and 1 am slow
yet bound to admit little significant that there s
not IN important Astronomical Observatory IL thsi
!" Confederate States of America Massachusetts,
New York Ohio. and other individual States Of ths
Uaiou, and the United States, have their OBSERVE
tories-some ranking among the most noted Of Tho
weird. We are now starting out on the career ofs
will doubtless be one of the most prosperous, md
consequently one Of the most attractive in the great
family Of nations. But the construction Of great
nation implies an adequate outlay Of talent and
money to enable the country to be and do all those
great things which the progress Of society and the
wants of men demand Our rich lands, soft climate,
unlimited water power, copper, iron and gold mines
rich pastures deep forests and the acute genius OF
noble people, will afford something for every man
to do. love to look forward to the unknown pros
perlty which awaits the Conference.-The develop
ment Of the unnumbered resources Of Southern soil
and industry. Among the many enterprises which
await US, none have a stronger claim upon U.s. for
none are more serviceable than thorough develop
ment of the sciences and practicable application
of their instructions to the daily operations Of life
Every country needs for daily use well conduc-
ted Astronomical Observatory. The practical use
of it no question 1t is useful in furnishing
correct time to the public, and especially to Rail-
roads and Banking Houses aud other institutions
where accurate time is necessary Often, immense
sums Of money and even human life depend upon
accurate time. The Observatory furnishes this.
The various nations of the earth have long been
engaged in the tedious yet necessary labor of en-
deavoring to determine the position of the heavenly
bodies, work not yet complete by Acknowledge
necessary to the mariner. From the imperfect data
thus furnished by the observer to the sailor many
a noble ship and many human life has been lost
The different nations of the earth are busy engaged
in observing and furnishing important truths to the
worlds navy. If we become a nation-if we take
high position among nations-f we discharge our
duty a nation, an Astronomical Observatory is
necessary.
But the Confederacy, as nation, is now busy
her attention and her treasury called to the
battlefield And even unemployed in war, she
would oe aided in her enterprises by the co-opera
ton of her auxiliaries the States which compose
the nation.
Although no longer citizen of North Carolina,
yet my interest in her welfare IS greater than in any
former period Of my life. love to defend her from
the jeers sometimes am forced to hear at her ex-
pense. love to reply to the sneer at her exports
that her pines WELD the handsome sum of two and
a half millions per year. long to see her noble
head high among her peers long to see her in
dependent and honorable useful and famous for ev-
cry virtaous enterprise. North Carolina has been
first in number of important things. May she
not be first in anothers She the first State in
the Union to erect an University in compliance with
section Of her State Constitution and even now
is there another State which provides for an Uni
versty by permanent section of State Constitution
North Carolina the first State of the Union to
appoint by State authority, Geologist to explore
her entire surface, and tell her people and the world
what lies embedded in her soil-facts which are
now enricsng the "Old North State'
May not North Carolina. either by legislative en-
actment or by individual contribution, take the
lead in erecting State Astronomical Observatory
We have the man to take it in chargc-a graduate
of the highest honors Of our University, long asso
ciated with Lieut.. Maury. of the U. s. Navy, at
Georgetown, D. c., gentleman and scholar,
prof A. j. Lawre,ce) The institution would be
an honor to the State and of use to the world and
its superintendent rendered to Prof L. wonld hon.
or worthy Of North Carolina, and the son of
brave captain Of one Of our greatest wars.
With the best wishes for the prosperity Of my
native soil,
am yours truly,
HENRY HARDIE.
NJ jackson, "a, June 1S, 1861.