Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-03-01
PHYSICAL SCIENCE

We make the following extract from
the eloquent address of Capt. James b.
Eads. delivered before the Academy Ct
Science at a recent meeting in 81.
Louis:
The civilization of to-day is in
reality mainly founded upon our
knowledge and application of physical
science To this ca use are we almost
wholly indebted for the superior refine
ments, methods of life, and multiplicity
of appliances for increasing our happi.
ness. Nor does the sglory of science
end with these magnificent aud tangi-
BILE evidences of her power. To her IS
chiefly due that moral force which
characterizes civilized life. She pre-
vades all departments of intellectua
labor, and all theories aad forms
whether of law, commerce, agriculture,
social economy of government, are
subjected in some measure to her
crucial tests. Even Sacred Writ ac-
cepts jus, such Interpretation as her
mex orable laws demand Through her
teachings we are learning to correctly
estimate the value of experiment and
! observation, and to demasd that evi.
dence shall precede belief Already
has the startling fact dawned upon tho
human understanding, that mans wel>
iare on earth is wholly dependent upon
his implicit observance of certain
inmutable laws and only through the
most perfect knowledge OF these can he
hope to yield that inVariahle obedience
which secures the highest degree OF
human happiness. Science which We
have been too prone to look upon
simply as u means of advancing our
material prosperity, here proves our
friend in a higher cause. She alone
an unfold these vital laws to man.
Her domain embracing as it doe. the
entire cosmos is SO boundlcss however,
and the mental scope and lifetime OF
man so limited. that it is only by some
judicous co operative system, In which
individuals con6ne themselves to special
departments of investigation, and in
which careful records are preserved to
convey to future workers their ob.
servations and discoveries, that man.
kind can hope to attain the earliest
possible insight into al! of the mystic.
ries of nature.
One science ouly will our genius dt.
So vast is art, so narrow human wit. "
We see, thefore, the Importance of
encouraging such institutions as this
where investigation in all departments
of natural aud physical science may
receive such aids through experiment,
demonstration and observation, as geEi.
us when fostered by wealth can accom-.
plish, and where the records OF the
past. and the details Of present discov-
cries in the world Of science can be
temptingly placed within tbs reach of
every inquirer.
What purer philanthrophy can we
conceive of than that which has for it's
aim the most thorough instruction Of
our fellow men in the comprehensive
knowledge Of those unalterable moral
and physical laws, on the observance of
which. and their proper application,
depends the amelioration of mankindr
This is the noble purpose of your insti>
tuition.
The acquisition of wealth usually
quenches mans love for his fellow.
The pursuit of knowledge, on the con.
trary, awakens one OF his noblest attri.
butes. The cultivation Of the mind
inspires the wish to benefit our neigh.
bnrs ; and the desire increases In pro.
portion as knowledge supplies the pow.
er to elevate aud improve his condition