The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-15
THE DAILY NEWS.
rcon.,,,d>d from Third Page

1coneludsd from Third Pags.J
themselves sufficient to make hlm m q greas eat
name and to inspire toe eene.S, sos - &c taS;ng
that something extraordinary was 'n'i0 'AA"'e
shape. -, s;o,,,o;r,od. for wben
4h;s york of half q century had been accom-.
TIished. Science acknowledge ed that he alone OF
living men could have been its author.
We must recollect, however, that humpoldt
mos-that he did not even directly aim to do so;
On the contrary, he was too profoundly versed
in the condition and the possibilities OF human
science not 10 know that the induceve solatlon
of that problem must belong to anotner ana
perhaps far future generation, OF men, even
supposino its solution practicable to the finite
constil ution ofthe human intellect. But when
the mathematician is perplexed Dy some prop
lem of more than ordinary difficulty, ne AIDS
his intellect by drawing diagram represent
ing, as nearly as he knows them, lts compnca,
ted conditions; and with this help to his mentai
vision he proceeds to its proximate or absolute
solution.
In the case we have been examining modern
science is the mathematician; the UNITY OF the
Cosmos is the problem. and he alone amonS S.
men who has succeeded in drawing the n nrs'
diagram, which Adequately represents i9s Gull
iitions. is Alexander Won Humbo!dt.
It is the task of this and succeeding genera
tions to study this diagram; to simplify or am
plify its details as increased Knowieoge may
demand; to correct it where 1t needs correc-
ton, and thus to approach its final solution as
nearly as may be permitted to humanity. But
when she has reached that end and aim OF her
existence, physical science will point back TO
the Cosmos OF Humboldt as the fret great step
in her progress.
Such, then, is the position which the history
of human knowledge assigns 10 MN WHOSE se
achievements we to-day celebrate. Ihough ne
has been removed from the sphere OF activity
which he so long illuminated, his work mas not
ceased among men. The progress towaro Tue
solution of the great problem goes on. IN
formation as to the structure OF the n4ed STARS
ano pebulse. as we'll as OF the sun which he even
desuaired of for science, has been wonderfully
youchsafed to us through the agency OF the
Spectrum Analysis, and by it We arrive at the
probable unity OF the materia! constitution OF
all the heavenly bodies. The discovery OF the
correlation Of forces has all but demonstrated
that the various energies at work in the Cos
mos are only so many specifications OF one
central cosmical force, while the esearches
now in progress as to the universally OF
cnmnoniaw Of development will, II they reali1e
allSthat is anticipated, bring us nearer 70 the
solution OF Humooldts great problem tnan IL
is possible to foresee. But this much seems
certain: That the present state VI research
points to not far distant time when science
shall have inductively realized the conception
OF one primordial matter operated upon Dy one
primordial force, according to one unvaryiDg
law, to which all other cosmical laws are Dut
corollaries. And the rapid extension OF such
researches, since the appearance or the Cos.
mos, may be fairly attributed to the profound
simpression produced by that work upon the
ends and aims Of science.
The oychestrp now performed en- overture,
and the oratorial exercises Of the evening ter
minated with some remarks by the Lov. l..
Mueller in German. he dwelt upon the youth
OF Humboldt as an example to the youth OF
our own land, upon the importance Of early
framing and education, the value OF know
ledge, and the necessity of economizing time
in order to lay that sure foundation Of mind
which is the capital of the young.
The address Of Mr.. Mueller, though brief,
was full of salient points, eloquently presented,
Ind frequently elected the applause OF that
portion of the vast audience by whom he was
understood.
The exercises were concluded by the crown
ing of q beautiful statuette Of Humboldt by
Children.
In the centre Of the stage, resting With CHAR
acterisfic taste upon rocky mound composed
of our Carolina pbdsphates, and draped with
0N6IRI661, WAS tu6 blubli D1OuHC iOPA0oSh'esAo
Of the Baron von4Humboldt. At given sig
nal, terror dozen little girls, dressed in white
advanced from behind the scenes and, preceded
BY the national banner Of Germany borne by
young lad, took their position in semi'circle
around the mound. Miss Adeline Wehmann,
pretty miss Of ten years. supported on
either side by Misses Adelina Keip and
Ageie Isse1tel, then stepping forward, the
frst named little lady placed crown OF flow
ess upon the brow Of the philosopher. accom-
panying the act with a remark in German.
signifying, " Ills thus we honor merit" The
youthful line then filed in circ e around the
ststueite to the music Of the orchestra, and
each deposited at it's feet wreath of laurel,
the sangerbund meanwhile singing the Ger
man national song.
Thus terminated the exercises Of most in
terestins occasion, and one that will be long
remembered by all who were present.