Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-19

gathering together here OF men or women, or
men and women. from the extremes of the
land, too full almost for utterance with zeal for
their cause and inspired with its importance
But this is no ordinary convocation, and this
month witnesses gathering heretofore
unknown in the history of Wash
see again for many years. Beginning with
the American Microscopical Society on the 18th
Of August and ending September l with the
International Congress Of Geologsts, there will
have crossed the stage in procession one after
another, sometimes singly and sometimes in
groups, nine scientific associations, all OF
national and some of international Importance
carrying on their rolls membership Of thou
sands and charged with the mission of finding
the fundamental truth of almost every funda-
mental interest of mankind.
Nearly central in this convocation, both in
time and Importance, is the association which
il is my pleasant duty to welcome today, the
society to which all the others affiliated and
OF which all the others in a measure are COM
ponent parts. The American Association for
the Advancement Of Science. both by its dis
tinguished membership and by its work, has
won the consideration Of the civilized world,
and Washington, not to be behind in this con-
sideratiOn, most heartily welcomes you today.
Every four years we witness the Inauguration
of new chief executive. The transfer or the
continuance Of power, is done in the presence
of hundreds of thousands with an acclaim that
represents the political voice of the country
Two years ago these broad avenues resounded
to the tread of a conclave, whose plumed
helmets, martial step and inspiring music COM
bined to make spectacle never surpassed upon
this continent. Next year will come the sur
viving hosts Of a grand army that brought to a
successful issue one of the most memorable
contests of modern times. The Scared vet
Grams will come again to see Washington, that
stands in shining beauty today because of their
prowess and loyalty. Washington will be I'M
true to herself if she does not give them such
a welcome as shall make the cookies of their
hearts SO merry that the joy shall last in the
memory of the last survivor as he crosses the
dark river
do the coming of q new ruler, nor as we do the
spectacle of plumed host, nor as we will the
soldier who fought suffered, bled and risked
his life for the integrity of the government
under which we all live. We cannot welcome
you with any such demonstration. We would
not if we could. Such a welcome would not
be appropriate. Yet our welcome is as sincere.
We recognize your merit. Our chief maRis-
trates come for a brief period from out the
ranks and then retire; forms of government
come and go, but the forces you represent, the
truths you elucidate, are eternal. The laws
which you study and apply reach every hearth
and heart underlie every industry, are the
common heritage Of universal man, as stable as
the throne Of the Almighty.
1 ought, before close, to say few words
nificent structures or broad avenues. These
you have seen, and have no doubt have appre-
ciated as BETTING the capital of great nation.
/ wish to speak of that other Washington, that
more sincerely welcomes you, the scientific
Washington. This city is instinct with science.
1t pervades almost every department. This
city is full of laboratories and the accumula-
lions of scientific research. This government
recognizes to the fullest extent and calls to its
aid the application of science. The result is
that the ranks of its employees here are
full of men recruited from your ranks to
work on problems that are like those
that engage your energies. In a measure
these men find companionship in association
with those of like study and have formed so
cieties for promotion Of congenial pursuits.
First comes the Cosmos Club Of some Goo men,
bers, to whose rooms you are heartily invited
during your stay here; then comes the An
thropological Society with its 210 members, the
Biological with l54, the Chemical with SO, the
Geographic with 1877, the Philosophical with
21O and the Microscopical Society with half q
hundred; an aggregate individual membership
of nearly 1000. These men are engaged in
almost every branch of scientific investi-
CATION and exploration. They are botanic
ing from Labrador to Lower California
Some are at this moment in Death Valley, with
the thermometer at lis, and some are scaling
the glaciers Of Alaska, some surveying canals in
Central America and some seeking the north
pole across the table lands Of Greenland; some
sounding the deep seas; some are studying the
germs Of disease, fighting pests and coutagion
IN man and beast and plant, and others ars
building monster guns and constructing man.
| moth bombs to destroy human life: some are
taking substances to pieces and finding the nj