New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-23

that those wonderful adaptations which we in the
structure Of living animals and which in former times
laws aering with the same disregard 10 consequences
Which We SEQ IN the falling rock The philosophy OF
Darwnism and the theory Of evolution viii be at once
brought TO your MUD as forming the modern
system Of explanation tending to this re-
suit On these theories the eye was not
made in order 70 see, nor the ear IN order to hear nor
are the numberless adaptations OF animated beings to
the conditions which surround them IN any way tho
product OF design. Absurd this theory appears at the
first GLANCE and great as is tue anxiety to secure us re-
careful scientific study OF the facts OF nature and tne
aid IN It's settlement ia universally admitted
in quarters where II is fully understood We are not
20 call in supernatural cause to account for result
which could have been produced by the action Of the
known laws Of Nature The question, tnen, Is whether
the laws OF hereditary descent of natural selection
are adequate 70 the gradual growth OF such
organs as the hand, the eye aud the ear, ana Tor
they are II would be idle call in other cause,
except place IL behind tho aws and II we place ~
behind these laws we must equally place IL behind all
others OF course such cause lies beyond the field OF
sight, and does not therefore belong 70 scientific oDser
science can penetrate the result is brought about
by laws acting In the same WAY as the laws OF mature
with which we are more familiar
SUMMARY OF POINTS.
To sum up; First, when men study the opera
tions Of the world around them they find that certain
of those operations determined by movable ante
oeCent conditions and with that blind disregard OF
consequences which they call law They also fnd
certain other operations which they unable thus to
trace 20 the operation Of law.
secondly-Men attribute this latter class to anhro-
pomorphlc beings, gods having the power TO bring
about changes IN nature, having certain objects,
worthy or iguObe, in view which they thus endeayor
to Men also believe themselves able 70 dis
Germ these objects and thus to explain the opera
tiOns which bring On, M abont, The objects aimed at by
these supernatural beings worthy or ignObe, accord
ing tie state society in ancient times they were
often the qualification OF the sest pride the lowest
Thirdly-As knowledge advances ne after another Of
these tOUnd 10 be really determined by
law the only difficulty being that the law was before u
known or not co.apehended. that the circumstances
winch determined its action too obscure or too
complex TO be fully grasped by the mind
peared from every thieket Which has been fully ex-
plOred, the question arises whether they now
nave or ever had any existence at all On the
hand IL may be claimed that It Is unDhOsOphcal 10
believe in them when they nave been sought in vain in
other hand have the difficulty OF accounting for
these very laws by which find the course OF nature TO
be dctermined' Take as single example the law OF
hereditary descent; how did such law or rather, how
did such II process, for 1t Is process, hrst
commenced II this is not az legitimate a
subject Tor inquiry as the question, how came
tue hand, the eye or the nrst germ into
existence, 1t Is only because it seems more difficult 70
investigate II, the most advanced scientific pll0sO-
phy teaches creation IS itself but growth, how dld
tnat growth originate We here reach the limits OF the
scientific field, on ground where they are less well de-
hueo tnan IN some other directions but snail take the
liberty OF MAKING single suggestion respecting mat
ter which lies outside OF them When the doc
trine of the universally OF natural law IS
carried so far as to include the genesis OF living
beings and the adaptations TO external circumstances
IN their ana their STRUCTURE, IL Is
often pronounced 10 DC aJheisuc whether TINS 1udg-
ment Is or Is not correct cannot say but IL IL very easy
PROFOUND the question by which It's correctness
10 DO determined Is the general doctrine OF causes
acting iu apparently blind obedience to mvaIiabe law
itself lthCstlC T. IL II Is, then the whole progress
OF our knowledge OF nature has been IN this direc
ton, for II mas consisted IN reducing the opera
tons OF nature To such blind obedience. or
course when | say blind, you understand that
blind far scruI able regard to consequence
Is concerned blind like justice, IN fact.
II the doctrine not athelstC tuen there is nothing
atheso In any phase OF Ehe theory 0teyOuton for this
consists solely accounting for ertau processes natu
laws do not pretend 70 answer the qu stiOn here
involved because II belongs entirely the domain OF the
10 J. All ask Is that each individual shall hold
OF the question topic and the negative
another. Ny object IN laying before you these ideas
has been not mucn 10 PROFOUND any views TO
promote consistency OF view among those who discuss
tins theme In its several aspects, and u can make II
clearly appear to dspuaut that in discussing scientific
questions he IL 10 couune himself 10 their phenomenal
Bde aud 10 maintain theory which not IN accord
with ms everyday views Of life, shall have accom-
plshed my purpose.