The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-12-16
Popular Confidence In Scientific Dis.
cOvcry.

The popular mind in it's attitude to-
wards scientific progress and discovery
has undergone wonderful change in
the last five or ten years. The great
facts in science brought to view by the
labors of investigators, so long as they
had no special practical bearing upon
the affairs of everyday life, were re-
ga1yled with little interest, and made no
deep impression upon the mind or be-
lief of the general reader. Statements
were made in the newspapers regard
ing this and that new fact brought to
light in some department of science or
art, but the news was seldom thought
of or talked about in the homes of the
people in country or city.
Important and wonderful discoveries,
like the spectrum analysis of new chem
ical eleInc is, or new asteroids, have
interested men within the circle of
those engaged in research, but outside
few have taken the trouble even to in
quire as to the importance or signifi-
canoe of the new acquisitions to hui
man knowledge. A class of discover
les, however, which seemed to involve
religious beliefs or theological dogmas
quickly attracted popular attention, and
brought about fierce war of words.
Mr.. Darwin, when he published the re-
suits of his studies and discoveries upon
the origin of species became at once a
marked man and an object of popular
attack. He might have been the dis
coverer of so new stars, and his name
would hardly have been known beyond
the circle of his associates and scien-
tific investigators generally. His views,
now almost universally admitted and
adopted in the world of science, con-
tinue to be derided and combatted by
theologians and laymen, and in some
instances with considerable sharpness
and ability. The popular confidence,
so far as it is Influenced by such writers
does not rest with Mr.. Darwin. The
stupendous problems involved in as
Economical science, and upon which it
rests, puzzle and bewilder the popular
mind, and but a kind of half assent is
given to them. When the astronomer
states in public assembly that the sun
is distant 100000 miles. a majority
ara tempted to inquire, ''How do you
know that?' Or when he states, further,
ering of incandescent hydrogen and
ply is, at may be So" We hesitate
mathematicians had not been able to
foretell eclipses, occulations, of stars,
approach of comets, ETC., the great
have occupied in the popular mind a
place scarcely higher than the astrol-
ogy of the ancientS.
This former state of Indifference and
doubt has now been broken, and the
Ill, for ha 9th
The popular mind is ready to believe
deyoutly almost anything which men
of research offer for consideration. The
impossible, which once was observed in
every direction, now has faded from
view, and science seems to work mir
acles as did the apostles of old. The
full establishment of the telegraph in
all parts OF the world immensely in
creased the popular respect for science;
but when to this are added the tele-
phone, microphone. audiphone, phono-
graph, electric lighting and the numer-
Gus other recent triulnphs of science
and art, the possibilities of scientific
accomplishment have no longer limit.
There is danger that this extreme de-
velopment of faith may lead uninform-
ed persons into errors through misap-
prehension, or extravagant claims of
inventors and experimenters. Owners
OF gas stocks and other kinds of prop
erty supposed to be Influenced by new
discoveries should be cautious about
sacrificing their securities in conse-
quence of what is published in the
newspapers. There are still many fall
lacies in the world claimed to be the
out growths of science, and wise dis
elimination and reserve should be
II Maintained in az actions based upon
what is claimed us new in science and
art.-Boston Journal Of Chemistry.