The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-09-15

Agassiz, " the influence he exerted
UPON science Is incalculable. While
he belonged to a period of great men,
such-as Cuvier, La Place, Arago and
others, comparison with such will
only add brilliancy to his great ae-
complishments. During his long life,
many stars appeared In the literary
ornament; from the same soil Schil-
Ter and Goethe; from America Wash
ington Irving, LongfelloW, and 9TH
ers; while England, France and Italy
added many to the number; but the
chances Of none for impeTlshable
fame are greater than his.
1t may be true, for the world Is pro-
gressive, that In many instances this
great man only deserted the shadow of
principles, and that but dimly, but
even this will prove sufficient to en-
able subsequent Investigators to dis
Germ their real substance, while In
others he only planted the seed from
which hereafter a great scientific har-
vest may be obtained.
The clear indication given by him
Of the connection between the phys 4.
les, sciences and human history have
opened a pathway, which has already
been followed by other investigators
with new and important results. and
much more of value as well as of in
terest to the race will no doubt yet be
developed from his suggestions. His
tory itself, instead Of being a mere
detailed statement of battles, victories
and defeats, and the biography of
Generals and men IN authority, may
yet by scientific rules of generaliZa-
ton teach the philosophy of the hu
man race, and show the true atus
and condition of mankind. The bugle
notes sounded by Humboldt sixty
years or more ago may have started
Guizot and Lamartine, John Stuart
Mill and Sir Herbert Spencer, Draper
and Buckle. out In their various path
ways of researches and examinations
into the history, progress and devel-
opments of civilization. Even our
own Henry Ward Beecher, with
host of others now living, both In
Europe and America, now. and then
show signs of taking draughts from
| the same great fountain. Without
endorsing the conclusions as yet ar
rived at, this much may safely be
said, that a broad and grand field has
been opeEed and is now inviting ex-
plorations from every human stand
/ point.
Homer, Dante and Michael Angelo,
from their different spheres. wrought
/ out their own fame, and SO in his
sphere, to-day,Fe class Alexander Won
/ Humboldt. The earthly remains of all
| these men have been by that greatest
of all purifiers, the grave, covered
UP from human sight. The motives
Of favor, passion and interest which
often give celebrity to the living are
now gone. Hereafter Humboldt, like
the others, will be measured by the
same true standard of merit. But it
requires no inspiration to foresee that
his achievements and discoveries in
| science will continue to shed halo
of brightness around his memory that
will increase before each coming gen.
Grafton; that his reputation, so far
from declining, will ever be on the
increase, and that as to him discrep-
ancies Of race, of character, of reli-
gion, Of age, of the world will be for
gotten in the common praise of his
great genius. Such, no doubt, is the
common feeling of the people of the
different classes and tongues who are
here present to-day. They all feel
with me that there is something in
| expressibly striking and wonderful
in the character and accomplishments
Of the man for whom we testify our
admiration on this occasion. That
his name will descend to all time, will
spread over the whole earth. and be
uttered in all the languages belonging
to the races and tribes Of men, and
will forever be pronounced with affec-
tionate gratitude by every one In
i whose breast there shall arise an
aspiration for human science and ad-
vancement.
The duty we this day peform is a
pleasant one. The recurrence of an
niyersaries, or of longer periods OF
time, naturally freshens the recollec-
ton and deepens the impression of
events with which they are histori-
cally connected The wide spread
disposition to celebrate this centen-
NAL birthday of Humboldt bespeaks
the high estimation in which he is now
held. 1t also shows the living power
of great examples, and that the peo-
pie of the present hour are awake to
progress and to high attainments.
The strong, the weak, the young
and the old testify their high regard
for his great accomplishments, whilst
In him the aspiring youth especially
finds an example worthy of his con-
slant attention. Here he finds IN
daunted courage and devotion to the
great task In life which he had az
signed to himself. Here he finds one
who was ever unwilling to rely for
success upon genius alone, but be
, rather looked to that perseverance
which would devote itself by strenu.
Gus efforts to great things without
seeking any reward but their ac-
complishment; one who demonstrated
the truth of Allison when he said
/ that disinterestedaess and courage
were more needed in the sciences and
the library than on the battle field -
courage to withstand the assaults oil
? envy and to despise the ridicule oil
mediocrity, disinterestedness to tram
FL pie under foot the seductions Of ease
f and disregard the attractions of opu-
, lence. Ofthese high traits Humboldt
/ was almost pure personifcation. LII
5 these respects with our own immortal
t lied Franklin he stands pre-eminentl,
5 high.
f Another, and by no means one Of
? the least, great trait In the characteI
. of Humboldt was his comprehensive
= and liberal views of everything which
5 affected human society. This mani
9 tested itself throughout the whole
l course Of his long life. His grea
: mind rose above the ordinary .socia
quarrels and bubbles, and differen
sects and creeds now vie with eacl
s other in rendering homage to his grea
Q worth. The great heart of the masses
r beating for progress and freedom
c found in him an able advocate ant
f constant friend.
: We are now at the point of a cen
I ] L.