The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-23
sEArrLE. SUNDAY. DECEMBER ~.
Evolution.

That the acknowledgement announce
ment last Sunday expressed but feebly
the scope ability and thoroughness Of
it, series OF articles on the History of
the Nineteenth Century will appear to
every reader from an examination of the
opening paper. published this morning.
Mr.. Alfred Russell Wallace is an author
ity on this subject inferior to none but
the late Charles Darwin. with whom he
shared the honor Of Announcing the great
law OF evolution. Only the modesty of
this eminent scientist conceals the fact
that HIS name will always be linked with
that OF Darwin, In almost equal honor. as
discoverer and student of natures pro-
foundcst processes.
His review OF the history OF evolution
II exhaustive. The student of all the,
encyclopedias fails to ind In them a state
ment so compact and complete. His
enunciation of the fundamental principles
to which the evolutionist holds is lumi-
nous: scientifically exact, ana at the
same time fitted to popular comprehen-
sion. 1t tells the story OF the greatest
triumph OF human intelligence, as applied
to the problem OF the origin and growth
of living organisms and the secret OF ma
lures methods.
We gain a new view OF our century
~. N
scientific thought won greater victory
than during all preceding ages OF human
history. Comparing current theories and
accepted beliefs. even among strictly SCI
entiac men. at the beginning and at the
end Of this period. we ind exact knowi-
edge taking the place OF curious guesses.
and an orderly and intelligent interpre.
tation OF the universe substituted for dog
matte assertion on the one side and fan
tastic hypothesis on the other. For the
first time. as far rs the inmost opera
tions OF nature are concerned. her treas
nre house was thrown open to the seeker.
the secrets OF her laboratory laid bare
an far as they can be comprehended by
finite intelligence.
II would be presumption to add word
to the faultiess story that Mr.. Wallace
tells Of the rise and progress OF evolu-
ton as a part of scientific knowledge
But Il Is interesting 10 note It's profound
reflex action upon intellectual methods
and upon religious belief. Today II ia
accepted absolutely by practically the en-
tire scientific world. and with more or
less reservation by all informed and in
telligent people, AT FIRST so startling was
the conception that men could grasp il
only as they do every new ana stupen.
deus thought. by expressing It in terms
OF the crude and concrete. Evolution
meant. TO some millions Of people. that
man was originally a monkey: nothing
less. and little more Now. as expressing
a mode OF action for natural forces. a
method by which the outward forms OF
things change and have assumed their
present aspect by imperceptible degrees.
II s. hardly less wei established than
the law OF gravitation itself
one gain OF this. as Of all scientific ad-
vance the sreat moral gain Of this cen.
,ury perhaps, Is the growth " fearless
devotion 10 truth for truih's sake. /, ~
slorlons standard to have established
No more closing OF the eyes 70 imporiu-
nate facts that DO not n, with precen-
eeivca theories OF dear delusions The
Investigator knows nothing SO imperlous.
nathlux 80 sacred as truth. 1t he wills
to nnd and follow! convinced that h.
need fear no evil, Tor oHt of truth nothing
but ultimate sood San come. So IN a
deeper sense, scientific progress sad me
seientia, method are not the cracinxion
of faith. eu, It's supreme exsltatien To
follow exultinsiy and confidently whsr-
ever facts and laws may lead. knowing
thai their goal must I've the best Is but
another name for traA ln God.
As thus Indirectly. so directly The Is.
adjustment Of the principle OF evolution
tas heceme the hishes, contribution 20 re.
Hgioas though, sinec the time OF chrlst.
Accepting evolution as a natural law. we
nnst apply Il universally. Others. fol-
lowing The advance az Mr.. benjamin Kidd,
have srasped the truth that Il must gov
ern moral and spiritual as well as ply
steal development Great teachers OF re-
iisien have seen the tremendous meaning
OF this have reached through It to such
. conception Of religion itself as the