New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-14
Herbert Spencer and the Doctrine of
Evolution.

Mr.. E. L. Youmans delivered lecture,
entitled Herbert Spencer and the Doctrine
of Evolution" before the New York Liberal
Club last night at PIimpton Hall. He COM
menced his subj ect by stating that change
had taken place IN the world of thought
within our own time that was something
quite unprecedented in the history of pro-
gressive ideas. The doctrine Of evolution,
he said, was now acknowledged as an es.
tablished principle by many of the ablest
men of science, and was almost universally
admitted to have basis of truth whatever
form it might ultimately take. The
name of Herbert Spencer had long
been associated in the public mind
with the idea OF evolution. That while
the doctrine was passing through what
might be called it's stage of execration,
there was no hesitancy in according to him
all the infamy of its paternity; but when
the infamy was to be changed to honor
there was less alacrity in making the re-
vised award BY many men of eminence,
leaders of opinion, he Is regarded only as
clever and versatile essayist The object
OF the lecturer was less to expound or to
defend MIR. Spencer's views than to trace
his mental history, and the quality and ex-
tent of his labors, as disclosed by an analy-
sis and review Of his published writings.
Dir. Youmans then gave a sketch OF the
general condition of thought in relation to
the origination of things when DIR. Spencer
began his investigation. To men Of science,
he said; the new position was in the highest
degree important. In 1881 Professor
George Sedwick, in an address to the
London Geological Society, said: I'VE
have a series of proofs, the most en-
phatic and convincing that the approach to
the present system of things has been
gradual, and that there has been progress
sive development of organic structure, sub
servient TO the purposes of life. The ira
ditional explanation OF the origin Of the
world and all that belongs to it being thus
discredited, it only remained to seek an
other explanation; if it has not been done
in one way, how has it been done! was the
inevitable question. 1t was in relation to
this great crisis in the course of advancing
thought that Herbert Spencer should be re-
garded. Like many Others he assumed at
the outset, that the study of the whole
phenomenal sphere Of nature belongs to
science; but he might claim the honor of
being the first to discern the full sig
niticance of the new intellectual posi-
ton. For the proof of this he would
appeal to his works. Mr. Youmans
then made a rapid review of Mr.. Spen-
GERS miscellaneous works, from 1912 to 1860,
and said that it was in 1858 that Mr.. Spen-
Ger informed him that while writing an
article on "Nebular Hypothesis" the doc
trine of evolution presented itself to his
mind as the basis of a general system under
which all order of concrete phenomena
should be generalized. His work was be-
gun IN 1860. He has completed ons-half of
his undertaking, In three parts, First
Principles Principles of Biology" and
principles of Psychology There yet re-
main to De written principles of Sociology"
and 'Principles OF Morality which will
oop p1efa the carries Tho lanti,rar cOD-
claded with a eulogy on Mr.. Spencer's
genius and talent. and the greatness of the
design upon which he is engaged.-New
YOrI; Times,