Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-06
. For the Standard.
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY.
ga he Editor W n Standard. y

To tie Editor ~ O. Standard:
5 DEAR SIR 1t is a little singular, and I am slow
yet bound to admit little significant that there is
not an important Astronomical Observatory in the
z /" Confederate States of America" Massachusetts,,
New York, Ohio and other individual States of the
Union, and the United States, have their Obserya-
tOries-some ranking among the most noted Of the
world We are now starting out on the career of q
nation, and when once at peace with the world, it
will doubtless be one of the most prosperous, and
consequently one of the most attractive in the great
family Of nations. But the construction of great
nation implies 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 climste,
unlimited water power, "copper" iron and gold mines,
rich pastures deep forests and the acute genius Of
a noble people, will afford something for every man
to do. love to look forward to the unknown pros
perity which awaits the Confederacy-the develop
ment of the unnumbered resources of Southerh soil
and industry. Among the many enterprises which
await us, none have a stronger claim upon has, 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
oft no one can question. 1t is useful in furnishing
correct time to the public, and especially to Rail-
roads and Banking Houses, and 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
noble ship and many human life has been lost.
The different nations of the earth busy engaged
in observing and furnishing important truths to the
MI Dc Il.
high position among nations-if we discharge our
duty a nation, an Astronomical Observatory is
necessary.
But the Confederacy, a 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 greater than in any
former period Of my life. love defend her from
the jeers sometimes am forced to hear at her ex-
penSe. love to reply to the at her exports,
that her pines yield the handsome sum Of two and
half millions per year. l long to see her noble
head high among her peers. | long to see her in
dependent and honorable, useful and famous for ev-
cry virtuous enterprise. North Carolina has been
first in a number of important things. May she
not be first in another? She was the first State in
the Union to erect an University in compliance with
a 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 was the first State of the Union to
appoint by State authority, Geologiss to explore
her entire surface, and tell her people and the world
what lies embedded in her sOil-facts which are
now enriching 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 charge-a graduate
of the highest honors of our University long asso-
ciated with Lieut. Maury of the U. S. Navy, at
Georgetown, ID. c., a gentleman and scholar,
prof a. j. Lawrence) The institution would be
an honor to the State and of to the world and
its superintendent rendered to Prof L. wonld hon
or worthy son 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,
l am yours truly,
HENRY HARDIE.
M. Jackson, Ia, June IS, 1861.