Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-25
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HISTORICAL READINGS, NO. Z.

nlcTVklCAL RkADlNuc, NUs 70
No 1laudator temporis dcd" how euthusi-
astic soever he may be, would deny the great
Of modern nations. Not only in
the mechanical and individual arts--through
the application Of the great forces Of nature
but in political and social science, and In
all departments Of thought We are superior to
the Ancients. We have inherited their ex-
periences and their conquests. BY their ex-
perience we have been warned, and on their
victories we have improved. We have al
ready specified some of the causes Of this su-
periority. Let US now mention some others.
An advantage which we possess over the
ancients calculated to give US great superb
ority in the advancement Of science, we
must not fail to mention in the present con-
nection. We have not only better method
.fphilosophising, but we have better instru-
ments to aid Us 10 the pursuit. In pure
mathematics, Q more simple and comprehen-
sive language and superior analysis Tin
physical philosophy, new and improved in
struments Of measure, and new organs Of
perception, which have enabled US 10 arrive
at heights Of knowledge Of Whose existence
the supposition never once entered the fond
dream Of any ancient aspiring sage,--and
without which no mental cultivation, no pa
tent toll, no mode of Investigation, how cor
rect soever It might be, could have hindered
large domains of truth to have been forever
hidden from the intellectual eye.
The press has done much for modern SCI
ence and civilization. Through it, and our
learned societies division of labor in the
vast fields of science is secured. Kindred
minds, though otherwise unknown, aud in
different parts of the world, may hold COM
munion aud assist each other In pursuing the
same path Of inquiry. Through It, science is
no longer confined to colleges and learned
halls. Philosophy 10 no longer the property
of the privileged few, but the possession Of
all who desire to cultivate it.
In the press, too, we have pledge for the
security of our intellectual achievements. In
the history Of civilization the world has
more than once relapsed into darkness. I,
can never do so again. The progress Of sci
ence is sure, for Its discoveries are perma-
nently secured. The foundations of our col.
leges may be razed-our learned societies
may be broken up;-barbarians more ruth.
less than vandal or Hun may overrun ouI
land; and for time arrest the advance o.
civilization. But to use the fine image o
Sir David Brewster, though we forget thu
exact language, though worse than Gin
merian darkness cover all around, the vesta
iires, fed by devoted worshippers, will still
burn bright on the inner shrine of the tenn
pie Of knowledge, exciting new minds to EN-
ulation, and, in time, quickening them to al
earnest activity. Kindled at its sacred fame
other sacerdotal spirits would go forth burn
ing with holy zeal, and from many nina
ret summon the faithful to willing worship
till all again should be irradated with tn
light of science, and enjoy the full blessing
Of moral and social progress. The posses
session of the press has, forever, secures
mankind from relapsing into barbarism.
These are aot ell the advantages whicl
through this instrumsntality we possess owe
the civilized nations of the ancient world
1t brings to bear upon the mass, who coul
not otherwise be reached, an influence whic
elevates and blesses. Am told of the evil
of cheap and free press,-of its lcencious
ness,--of its sometimes pandering to evi
passions and q corrupt tasie;-of its some
times being arrayed against principles tina
, are holy and benevolent? to a certain ex
tent this 81 true. But as every joy has II
|. shadow, SO we may expect every blessin
here to be attended by some evil. The evi
too, in this is unspeakably less than tn
benefit. 1t may be, too, that the danger
often exaggerated. Our literature is pure
than that of the age of Anne, and far NOR
than that Of the reign of the Second Charle
This which Is feared is not the literature {
. the age. The minds which it will hold ca
but little affect our progress for good or eyi
What we sometimes regard with alarm pos
terity will never know. Like the unwhol'
!. some mists of the morning, it will float ava