The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-15
EVOLUTION
!. Brief Glance at the Outlines
Governing It.
HERBERT SPENCER
Quoted as the Best Authority---Evo-
luton Not Necessarily Insep-
arabic from Darwinism.

gagged the attention of philosophers and
thoughtful men for many years, it has
never received, even from the majority Of
educated people that careful consideration
which it's Importance demands. One great
trouble seems to be that there are too
many investigators who are only willing to
follow the lead OF truth, provided she leads
where they imagine they would like to go.
II, however, the plowshare Of investiga-
ton cuts too close to their theories, or
theisms, for the theOlOgians are conspicuous
among this class, they proceed to blindiy
attack a supposed foe, without stopping to
inquire into the worthyness OF his motives
or to consider the weapons with which he
| will be able to defend himself. 1t is the
habit Of those who attack the doctrine OF
evolution to treat the subject "a II the
| whole theory were identical with, or de-
pendant upon Darwin's theory OF the origin
| of species by natural selection. Now, this Is
very far from the truth. Even if the Oar
| winian theory should ultimatly be rejected,
it will stand out as the one conspicuous ex-
| ceptiOn to an otherwise universal rule.
Whatever be the theory OF the creation OF
living forms upon this planet, it has atleast
been IA progressive creation proceeding by
Z < u III uSAA ~
ogy to the process OF evolution as to al
most force the conviction that the same
methods have been employed in each i'll
stance. To the inorganic world the doc
trines OF evolution are confessedly appllca-
~ble-confessedly 50 because, except In the
form OF a general denial its claim to this
field has never been disputed. 1t IS, how
ever, it's application to the affairs OF human
progress, material and intellectual, which
lands tn tho o1hi.scf ira ahanrhlnp interest
and renders evolution such an important
factor in education. 1t is by the light oil
evolution that the growth OF ideas and GUS
toms and the development Of civilization
can be most advantageously studied. In
deed the student in almost any field labOrs
at a great disadvantage without a knowl-
edge of it's principles. In order that all
may more thoroughly understand what is
meant by evolution / will endeavOr to
briefly state it's leading feature, quoting
largely from a general outline OF the doc
trines by Mr.. Herbert Spencer. He, at any
rate, ought to be regarded as authority
upon this subject, for to him, more than to
any other one man is due the credit Of
having traced out and formulated it's prin-
ciples. He says:
.'Throughout4he universe in general and
in detail there is an unceasing redistribu-
ton of matter and motion.
This redistribution constitutes evolution
where there is a predominant integration
OF matter and dissipation of motion. and
constitutes dissolution where there is pre-
dominant absorption of motion and disin-
tegration of matter. Evolution is simple
when the process Of integratlon or the
formation of a coherent aggregate proceeds
uncomplicated by other processes.
Evolution is compound when, along
with this primary change from an incoher-
ent to a coherent state, there go on second
airy changes due to differences in the circum-
stances of the different parts OF the aggre-
gate.
''These secondary changes constitute a
transformation OF the homogeneous into
the heterogeneous transformation which,
like the first, is exhibited in the universe as
a whole and in all Tor nearly ALL it's details;
i'm the aggregate of stars and nebuln; in the
the planetary system; in the earth az an
inorganic Mass; in each organism, vegetal
or animal Won Baer's law otherwise
expressed) in the aggregate OF organisms
throughout geologic time; in the mind; in
society, in all products OF social activity"
"Von Baer's discovery here referred to was
that the changes undergone during the de-
veiopment Of each organic body are always
from the general to the special. After treat
ing Of the causes which lead to that con-
s~tantly increasing complication OF effects
which evolution invariably presents, Mr..
Spencer describes dissolution as the coun-
ter change which, sooner or later, every
evolved aggregate undergoes, and which
serves to complete it's cycle of TRANSFORMED
ton.
This rythm of evolution and disso-
luton, completing itself during short pc
RODS in small aggregates, and in the vast
aggregates distributed through space COM
plotting itself IN periods which are immeas-
urable by human thought, is, SO far as we
can see, universal and eternal-each alter
mating phase OF the process predOminating
now in .:his region OF space and now in
that, as local conditions determine"
He closes this outline with an ethical con-
clusion, which is set forth as a c%oroiIary
from the conclusions which have preceded.
THAT which persists unchanging in guam
tity, but ever changing in form under these
sensible appearances which the universe
presents to us, transcends human knOwl-
edge and conception-is al unknown and
unknowable power, which we are obliged
to recognize as without limit in space and
without beginning or end in time"
These brief quotations are by no means
sufficient to impart an adequate knowl-
edge OF the theory OF evolution, but may,
perhaps, serve as an index to its nature
and the extent OF it's application. Ii the
result of these suggestions should be to
awaken a spirit OF inquiry my object will
nave been attained. During the past
twenty-five years scientific investigation
has brought to light many wonderful and
startling facts, and popular theories and
conceptions and even religious beliefs must
inevitably undergo Il corresponding modifi-
cation. Bnt l firmly believe that those
who candidly and impartially investigate
the subject will arrive with me at the con-
clusiOn that the scientist who affirms the
existence OF any fact Inconsistent with a
belief in God or Christianity has allowed
his prejudice to carry him beyond the do
main OF logical conclusion into the bound
less ocean OF Improbable assertion.