New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-21
pROGRESS OF SOCIOLOGY.

The recent Congress OF the Institute " 80.
cjolocv in Paris. which Sir John Lubbock
opened with an address OF surprising cloqucnce
and scholarship is made the theme Of unsympa-
,hc,ic. II not actually hostile, criticism IN 'he
English press Til Spectator" for example.
in which the best thought Of England often
finds expression regards il as perhaps an en-
tertaining gathering. but ~ with no power I"
have any strong Influence on the future. either
for good or evil: indeed a mere intellectual
picnic" This is not because Of any lack of
learning on the part Of Sir John Luhbock and
his associates but because. In the estimation Of
this writer. Sociology is not topic suited to
consideration by sucn gathering. II is too
vast. too vague. too little practical. Other con
crosses VI learned men may achieve something
Of value This one IN Shadows words, Is
Barren. barren; beggars all Sir John.
This estimate of the congress seems To lis
ilfoundcd. 1t is true as "Thc Spectator says
that there can be- no end of discussion Of such
"A matter rs Sociology. and ii would manifcslly
be- impossible for any one man 10 become con
vcrsant with all the social questions and needs
Of the day But what Of that: The same OBJ
lection might bc urged with equal pcriinencc
against. let us say, the British Association for
the Advancement OF S'l'lf'. surrey. HIu'u i'NH
than 10 discussion Of Sociology can any man set
a limit to discussion Of Science. or claim to be
conyersant with all the scientific questions of
the day: for Science is the whole, Of which
Sociology Is only part. Yet serious thinkers
do not call the Associations meetings Intel
lcctual picncs." nor say It's members may as
well claim building power for the sea spray. aS
a great future for its deliberations and re-
searches. As to the rather cOntcmptuous re-
mark that questions of government, legislation.
peace and war. and the like. are not the bust
ness Of men Of science, but should be left to
practical statesmen and party managers why,
that is the yericst echo Of the pothouse poll
ticians cry We may not be ready to fulfil
Emersons prophecy. and Ito superscde politics
with education" but surely We have reached
time when education has place in politics, and
when the same intellectual equipment and train
Ing that give To men mastery IN the profess
sIons and business walks of life should also
sst them to have leadership in affairs Of State.
The holding Of such a congress this is, we
believe an important and hopeful sign Of the
times 1t is one Of an extended series Of cog
nate signs. including profcssorships Of Sociology
in our colleges. innumcrable lectures sermons,
books and other publications on the same sub
iect and countless manifestations Of a general
awakening OF the popular mind 10 serious
thought upon IT, People are beginning TO realize
that man IS worth studying: that he is disnc-
lively a social being, and that therefore his
social relations are Of paramount importance;
that while we pay SO much attention to the
breeding Of animals, and the culture OF plants,
and the scientific construction Of houses, II Is
folly TO let the human race itself grow up hap
hazard 1t may be that much current thought
and uttcrance upon this subject Is vague and
inevitable in the beginning Of any great move
ment untricd ground. IAN infant crying
in the night has often mo language but a
cry" The important thing is. that it is awake
and "crying for the light" Articulate speech
will come in due time. and so will the light Of
morning.
Is there no need for such a cry? There is no
greater need for anything in all the world.
Every other branch of science has run far ahead
of that which directly deals with the social wei
fare of humanity. II all the conditions Of life,
among the masses OF the people. had made the
same progress in the last hundred years thar
chemical. or electrical, or mechanical science
has made, We should to-day be on the threshold
Of the millennium. Perhaps 1t is not possible
that quite such progress should be made HUI
man nature Is harder to deal with than the
inanimate part Of creation. But that Is no rea-
son why should not seek such progress
can be made. The truest test Of civilization"