Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-05-08
THE PROMISE OF LIFE.
Ideality In Science and Potentially
:. in Matters. Z

IuuutuCc VI OlllCI pl1uctS. Dut TIC COW-
prehensive mind of Newton asks, Why
should there be limitation in the attract
i've force2' Why should not planet gray
itate to planet2 Why should not every
particle of matter in the universe gravi-
tate to every other particle? Thus is
born the simple potentially which has
opened the way to all problems of ~celes-
tial mechanics, to the notions and figures
of the stars and tidal changes of figures.
How simple the fundamental idea! and
how complicated the details of the theo-
ries to be elaborated! They have ab-
sorbed the labors of astronomers for the
last two centuries in the observatory at
night, and in the study by night and day.
Statistics do not inform us how many
computers have been engaged in the task,
how many volumes of logarithms have
been consumed, how many thousands Of
figures have been written down, how
many pens Of goose aud gold have been
used up; but if each pen we're worth a
gold mine, if each figure were golden
thoug ht, if each volume were the life of
q philosopher, if each computer were q
man of genius, the whole expenditure of
material and brain would be insignifi-
cant in comparison with the unbounded
domain subjected to the authority of
ideality.
AN ALMOST INCREDIBLE ACCIDENT.
After speaking of the trials of faith
necessary upon the failure Of the planets
to conform to their ideal course in the
heavens, and consequent discovery of
outside planets as cause of the pe1turba-
tons, Prof. Peirce told the following re-
markable result of his computations: If
the telescope had failed, the pen of the
geometer would have detected the dis
turbipg planet. But Herschel, with his
great telescope, anticipated the mathe-
NAUTICAL computations. Uranus was dis
covered and the theories of the seven
planets were, erelong, presented to as
tronomers by the untirlng genius of
L.aplace, accompanied by astronomical
developments grander than new planets.
In the attempt to construct tables which
should serve for the prediction of the
places of the planets, it was ascertained
that the Irregularities of motion of the
new outer planet still required the inter-
vention of some unseen power. Two
great geometers, Independently of each
other, computed the elements of pl net
which should reconcile the discrepancies.
They conceded in it's orbit and position
In the very direction predicted by them
the plaent Neptune was found in conse-
quence of their predictions, and appar-
emily in full confirmation of them. Nep-
tune fully accounts for the previous de-
fects Of the theory of Uranus. and leaves
no apparent indication of the further ex
tension of the solar system. The discov-
cry was an extraordinary achievement,
and deserves the wreath of Immortality
which has been awarded to Adams and
Leverrier.
But there is supplement to the story
which seems incredible. 1t violates
popular prejudice; it has been wrongful
~ attributed to contemporary jealousy ;
it would not be introduced here, but it is
too pertinent an example of gecmetric
potentially to be omitted. The observed
planet is quite distinct in orbit and theory
from that which was predicted; and the
theory of prediction throws no light upon
the actual theory, nor has it any but an
accidental connection with it. 1t is not
rare that there are several different DOS
sible causes of an event, and, under the
influence of incomplete evidence or
prejudice, he wrong cause has been
selected. Under the wise administration
of justice there has been such a skillful
array OF circumstantial evidence that the
innocent man has been punished, even
to the loss of life. To the present case
I have given critical and laborious in
vestigation. My examination has extend
ed to far wider range of theory than that
included in the orr ginal researches:
have carefully revised the computations
of Adams and Leverrier. l find in them
no error, no lack of judgment. and nc
failure of legitimate mode of 1nvestiga-
ton. Nevertheless, / strictly adhere tc
the correctness Of my early statement.
am aware that there are great names
opposed to me, but their opposition hat
been tho mistaken conclusion of i'll
digested argument. The time must come
when personality will disappear; anG
nationality sink into oblivion with tn,
comets which have set forever, and yol
must wait for therendering of the fna
verdict. Ny position is that there wer,
two possible planets, either of which
hight have caused the observed ilreg
ularities in the motion of Uranus
Each planet excluded the other
They conceded in direction from
the earth at certain epochs, once il
six hundred and fifty years. It was a
one Of these epochs that the prediction
was made; and at no other time for 81:
centuries would the prediction of on
| planet have revealed the other. The oh
served planet was not the predicted one
! 1t was excluded through the limitation
which had been determined by Leverrie
himself after prodig1ous outlay of pro
found and ingenious search. He hal
proclaimed the investigation of the limit
as essential to the full solution of tn
problem. It was its larger moiety ant
most intricate portion, and he had WORTH
~. solved It. It is incredible that tn
great. master could have consented t
sbandon his choicest production ant
most brilliant jewel to popular ap.
plause and its ignoble history. The pc
tential planet is as splendid reality a
the true planet, and as marvellous q dis
covery.I Passing over that part of thu
lecture treating Of the potentiality O
matter to be manifested in heat and mo
ton, we come to the part on spiritual pc
tentiality. Isspiritual prediction hope
less impossibility, like that of the storm'
of the next century? What is to be eact
individuals future2 And what the future
Of all mankid2 Science has banished tht
prophetic power Of the stars But the
continuity Of law. has taken possession Of
the seat Of augury vacated by astrology
and it is not unreasonable to hope thai
henest and reverent inquiry will have itl
due reward. &~'s,fS>st=7 * =
In the material world one atom can
replace another without prejudice to the
system. Tree, can be substituted fol-
tree, and beast for beast. each in it's kind
30 that species IL everything and material
Individual nothing - But it is quite the
reverse in the spiritual world; an indi'
vidual cannot hold the place Of another;
as father, mother, or child; as husband o.