The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-07-05
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SCIENCE VS.. TRADITION.

In our long experience rs a writer on
agricultural topics we have had many OPP
poffunstI.s to observe how tcnaciously the
wisdom Of tradition holds out against
the discoveries and teachings Of science.
Ry the term science we understand "knowl-
edge gained and verified by exact observa-
ton and correct thinking. which is the
leading definition given by the Standard
dictionary. Some are prone to consider
common sense as a wisdom or knowledge
that IS directly opposed to scientific deduc-
tions and conclusions. We have heard
some say I'VE don't care anything about
the science OF q thing. or what science
teaches about the affairs OF life and the
pht uomena OF nature. but we want the
common sense of the matter. not knowing
that At least one great thinker and phlloso-
phcr and profound observer has defined
science as common sense Sy-stCmatized,"
or brought into definite order and system
In every noigEborhoOd there are one or
more men who are looked upon as oracles
Of wisdom. whose op.Dinns ON every con-
ceivabe subject, but especially in regard
70 the ordinary phenomena of everyday
Efe. are considered 20 be as little less au-
thoritative and final TIE truths taught
IN Holy Writ. Such men are rarely ut
loss TO explain the why's ana wherefores of
any occurrence in nature. and their deliV-
crances ere accepted as Law and gOspel'
admirers III Uncle Billy" Thompson says
II is going 10 be "A wet month it goes with
out question or doubt. IL John Smiths mare
has colcky symptoms. rolls and tumbles,
looks round at her side. swcats freely and
finally falls down ana dies. Uncle Billy
sgys she died Of the bots" because the
stomach Was ruptured and the bots them
selves were found II tho rooster stands
before the door and crows somebody Is
he fath
plaintive wall from nearby tree. some
one IS going TO die" We might name hun
dreds Of wise saws ana prophetic signs
that pass current as unadultcrated wisdom
a1d sound philosophy. Every one can re-
caH dozens 81 Illustrations OF what we are
writing about. when one of these very
wise l.len Is questioned rs 60 the correct
ness ~ his views or for proof of their
authority h Is apt 70 reply: Il Just know
It's so. ! have seen Il turn out SO a thou
sand times"
Vow. VIC are not going 20 get into a con-
trovcrsy with any ~ our sood friends about
theS.. signs and wonders. signs and seasons.
simply because q would hc OF no sort of
Use. We never vet have Known of am adult
man being converted from 4 belief that he
inherited from his father, after having be-
licved Il Tor the Ereetcr part OF his life.
You mighi rs wei dart Straws against
hurricane as 20 try TO convince a man of
firm belief that Friday IS an unlucky day
on which - commence any work. or To
start on q Journey ar to iu1ugurate any
enterprise Even Intelligent men who have
no fatfh In any such doiuz,on are oft-times
constrained 20 "huinor'' those who DO be
1--we in such. ana have been known 20
postpone the Inauguration of work or
tle comm, nce mont OF % journey, until next
day or until "ncxt Monday" rather than
cenanlauce On FRIDAY. And yet how many
81 .huse gho lavc little use for Friday as
q slar for eomE1cue tm'nts arc aw1r" OF The
fact that ihe 90 r,putc Of tits particular
dav 8 entirety due 10 the fact that the
sax .or was cruciiiod on Friday, and 10 tho
r. sated fact that Friday has generally been
reuari.si as "hanEman's" day. We know
Intelligent men (the scEs of iliiterate fa-
faersa who. when they forget something
sli iuru back 10 get d. never fail 20 take
~ :he hat and turn Il around: there are
some who under similar conditions lnya-
r.ahiy make cross mark in the road and
"ssit IN H." 80 strong are Inherited tradi-
ilpas.
ftut these relies Of an ignorant and super
stitieu~ past a-e slowly but surely giving
plEe- 70 q more generally different cducsi-
I.su aIsd intelligence. The sons Of ignorant
parents are being educated and as a rule
allie o. rEuish between fh. trUc and the
fai-.. between the sGper-titiuus and the
t.-.-- tis 't-.t "''7 b it' N'.t.'Nf ~ a4l SORTS
81 sigus and wiicheries axe dying away
aUa their places are being filled Nova
dsys we rarely hear OF man who believes
that the sun rDXoivcs around the earth
once day. and that the stars are made
- the old moon and that the earth IS fat
and four-corncr,d In many respects ana
qualities their places are not being filed
by their Successors are sorry TO saw. To
tine shame Of our teachers land preachers
tool. be K said that superior s,luca+ionaI
advantages and a higher intellectual train
Ing have NOT always been accomuanied bv
correspondents higher DEVELOPMENT Of
moral ana Christian character ana conduct
r.. j. X.