The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-05
SCIENCE AND WEALTH.
Men Who Might He Public Benef.csors HAM
pered by Poverty.

Popular Science Monthly.
Ii is admitted on all hands that the role
of science in the modern world has been
"a splendid aud benehcept one, aud
that if our present civilization differs
for the better in many important re-
spects from that of any preceding age the
fact is mainly due 10 progress in scien-
tIfc knowledge. The world had greater
poets in past times than II can boast to-day
at least this u generally assumed-aDd
greater artists and greater metaphy sicians;
but who would wish 10 go back TO the age
of Shakespeare, or that of Dante. or that of
PhIdias and Piatof We all prefer a world
IN which an extensive knowledge of
natural law prevails in which natural
forces have been bent, as We see them
bent to-day, to human uses. in which man
has decIsively gained victory over the
principal destructive agencies which once
were a constantly recurring menace TO his
life and happiness. The basis, the tirm
foundation of this civilization. W bich in
spite of any draw backs attaching To 10, we
all prize so highly. 10 knOwledge-slfted.
verified. definitely acquired knowledge of
the laws OF nature. The adjustments of
modern life are dependent IN the most alb
solute manner on the facilities which SCI
entihc discovery has furnished for the pro-
ductiOn and Interchange of commodities
and for communication between individu-
ais. And just as knowledge advances
does society as whole assume toward
it's component units more and more
the character of an earthly Providence.
Society" says Professor Toy. IN recent
article In the International Journal OF
Ethics, has come TO be an efficient moral
guide and support Ii has worked out
great ideals. winch have become the herr
tage of q small bnt controlling section OF
The race. lt offers great rewards for we'll
dong and intiicts terrible punishment
for ill-doing The individual il not a
moral orphan in the world; society stands
TO him In the place of a parent. with all II
a parents power and none OF a parents
weaknesses" Society. we may add. aided
by science, Is every day Improving and
identifying the environment into which
the individual is born. every day surround
ing his life with new safeguards. every day
bringing within bis reach wider ranges of
thought and increased means of enjoyment.
ly bequeathed the sum of 10000
francs TO the French Academy
of Sciences for the purpose of as
sistipg young men of a scientific bent of
mind 10 pursue original researches or ex-
periments for which they may not them
selves POSSESSES the means This We regard
as one of the most hopeful ways in which
wealth seeking a useful social application
could be expended. Much work that would
be valuable remains undone simply be-
cause the person possessing the germ idea
Is unable. through lack of pecnniary re-
sources. TO develop IL. Or the man with
the idea puts himself IN the hands OF
Others. who. taking advantage of hls pow
erty. make such terms as leave him only
vestig- of interest IN the product OF
his own brain. There Is room for
much improvement in the attitude of men
of wealth, and, indeed. of society at large.
toward science: and as Professor MeDden-
hall showed last year IN his address st In
dianapolis there 10 room for improvements
in the attitude of men of science toward
the community at large. The best fruits
of science will not be reaped and society
will not undergo it's great transformations
until. on both sides the needed improves
ment Is ACKNOWLEDGEMENT science re.
csives the place of honor In the thoughts of
all, and those who are it's ministers walton
sneir minstering with n due sense of the
sacredness of their calling.