The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-13


force of mind great portion of the physical world
to the dominion of man. ."-(COsmos.) A new spirit
pulse to the researches in natural history aud has
extended a greater horizon to mans investigating
powers 1t was this spirit which has subsequently
led and encouraged all those renowned travellers in
difficult explorations in distant countries Upon his
return from South America to Europe via
Havana, Humboldt visited our country. In May
1904, he arrived with his faithful fellow traveller
bOnpland, in Philadelphia, where he remained
several days, and visited President Jefferson at
Washington. The great Washington for whom he
felt the highest reverence had already departed
from this world. ON the 9th of June, 1904, he again
embarked on the Delaware for Europe. Perhaps his
foot has rested on the spot where now siXty-two
years later, celebrate his memory and about to
erect him a monument for all time.
Independently OF the nigh scientific and intellec-
tual worth, his writings are characterized by their
noole and yet so poetic language. This is especially
hymn of the physical world, which are ranked among
the best classical works OF German literature. But
above all things, this must be said of his great mas
ter-piece the Cosmos, that bible Of Nature. Cosmos
Is the Greek word for the universe or for its descrp
ton The appearance of this great production
formed an epoch in the scientific world. In it were
not only set forth the results Of the explorations
and thinking of more than fifty years study of the
author himself, but the exploration of all times
''nterrogatng the history of the past and tracing
the mysterious course Of IDEAS (COsmos) arranged
in harmonious unity, giant work which only the
mind of a Humboldt could accomplish.
But as book OF the people, the Cosmos made
still greater epoch. II contained an indefinite mass
Of facts explorations, and observations intelligble
to every educated mind. II represented to the
astonshed world nature in herpOnderous yet beauti-
tu and graceful structure 1t fulfilled what it pro-
missed and intended Humboldt ''vvidly described
the conceptions and enjoyments impaired by the
pure love of nature, ana he clothed her Thought
in high and exalted forms OF speech bearing witness
to the majesty and greatness OF the creation
(COsmOs.)
by his magic wand the pure spring of natures
knowledge sprang forth before the eyes the asto
nished people. In this manner the great Goethe
characterized HumbOdts a stipend Jus and mani
fold labor. Amazed and delighted, the admiring
masses thronged around to quench their burning
thirst for knowledge. The mysteries Of the works
of the philosopher We're thereby disclosed to the
people. This was llumboldt's greatest work. As a
man of seventy-siN Humboldt stepped before the
people hgh-priest of knowledge, and dispeed the
bane OF the image of Sas, lifted the veil and showed
the attentive masses the unveiled form OF nature in
her supreme majesty and enchanting beauty, moved
by her own pOwer-harmOny and law. This was a
work Of liberty not eXceled for centuries "Nature
is the empire of freedom!" (Werner1 Humboldt
proclaimed to the ruled and to the rulers Ignorance
and superstition trembled. The sword of empire
shook in the hands of despots who ensave body and
mind; the suppressed genius of liberty extended
her fettered arms over Humboldt to bless the lbe-
rator; and thankful mankind crowned him with
laures. The arstocratS Of the whole world, there
fore, are, and must be, his enemies. Did he not de-
sroy all their privileges and authorities by disclosing
for all the wealth OF true knowledge the empire Of
nature and freedom?
How insignificant is it that the great apostle of
liberty (as malice and calumniaton point OUT re-
sided at princely court; that he covered with
titles and knightly honOrs and that he was friend
of king! What did these casualties signify-these
childlike trnes of antiquated social forms-whch
he ridculed so often? The courtier, the baron and
the exceency is dead; bat Alexander Humboldt,
the grand master of science, the apostle of liberty,
Humboldt was German, and every German heart
feels truly proud that such a hero of knowledge,
without fault or falling is OF German origin adorned
with the best and noblest qualities of the German
race-with untring diligence, unremittng perseve-
rance, hrm conscientousness, unintimdated truth
fulness regardless consistency high of the
beautiful humanity and urbanity, keen intellect and
critical mind Independent of all authority. But
because he possessed these qualifications in their
highest possible perfection he lowered far aOove the
limits of the "Fatherland" as colossus of intellect
bright example for all nations .The representative
OF advanced and modern civilization and knowledge
belongs not to one country. He belongs to the
world as a guiding star on its road to the highest
culture.
Germany feels the prouder the more her great son
is hOnored by the whole world the more ali nations
proclaim him as one of their own. This is the pro-
clamation Of the fraternal union OF all nations, the
universal republic OF civilization and liberty, in
which science rules supreme.
Ninety years Humboldt enjoyed the full vigor of
his mind in uninterrupted successful activity,
him away They were indeed eventful years. But
whittier, in the course of generation, vanished the
bloody years of revolution and battles? Who re-
members them now, those heroes Of swerd and
force? Or who reverence them? And the mightest
OF all, Napoleon the bloody prince of war-once the
idol and the demigod of his country, and Of all be
gerent mnds-how is his memory now revered?
Born in the same year as Alexander Won Humboldt
his jubilee has been celebrated by imperial command
on the 10Th of August, with official pomp. But the
Rrencn people who once , greeted him with
pomp OF the commanded jubilee. Should other
countries which he had visited with bloodshed
brance? The Old Guard Of Waterloo died, and
the glory OF the great general and despot, and
forever But the fame Of his siV contemporary the
hero of science, the lberator from ignorance and
superstition, the herald OF eternal peace, and the
union of nations-the fame Of Alexander Humboldt
lives in all times and all countries where civilization
and liberty are at home, and especially here in
free country, in the country of the great and good
washington and the fathers of the renuDlip Their
noble legacy, the union OF these States, will find
broader and frmer foundation through IIumboldts
influence, through the cultivation OF sciences taught
by him, though the education OF our youth in his
spirit Therefore, we erect him here, in natures
wide and free temple this monument, whose corner
stone has just been laid in the name of humanity and
liberty to one of her nobes sons, to her high priest
it recommend itself to the reverence OF the commu-
nifty, and may it tell posterity OF Humboldt and of
freedom of mind, and how we honored them. -
To this citizen of the world the authorities OF our
city dedicate this beautiful spot And while we en-
press to them our sncerest thanks, we surely speak
in the spirit of all felOWctiZens, who long
conferred the right OF citizenship upon German in
dustry, German arts, and German sciences He
helped from the beginning to cOlOntze to free, and
to empower this country. And amongst the cee-
brities Of intellect who had received the honor of
citizenship from the American nation has long been
named as one of the nOblest and greatest and will
he named for all times-AleXander Won Humboldt,
the prince OF science and the man of the people.
At the conclusion of DR.. Kellners Grafton there
was music by the orchestra
Professor mOrtOn's Address.
Professor Henry Norton of the Franklin Institute
and University of Pennsylvania, then delivered the
following address:-
Ladies and Gentlemen:-Th honors which we
have this day met TO confer upon the memory OF
and for us, when we consider the especial character
of his genius and the nature OF those studies to which
his life was devoted.
In these ages of material progress, and when the
advance in the direction of tangible benefit to our
physical existence Is so rapid that 1t REQUIRES almost
leCtS TO Keep with the rapid march of human n