Page:Science (journal) Volume 1 1883.djvu/13

] men of science in other countries. Such is the environment in which American science has been developed; such the favoring soil, atmosphere, and warmth with which it has thus far accomplished its growth.

Under such conditions, it is not difficult to foresee a brilliant future for American science. Scientific evolution, like the evolution of a species, requires complete conformity to the conditions of existence. The science of today is in thorough accord with the spirit of the American people. They are proud of every achievement it makes, and are satisfied with the returns it is giving them for their investments. To continue this entente cordiale, should be the object of every scientific worker. He may the more readily concede some practical return for the facilities for investigation which the people have furnished; since the march of discovery is not in the least hindered, but rather promoted, by the practical application of the new truth it develops. His attitude toward invention should be appreciative and cordial. He should cast aside all prejudice against the man of patents and practical devices, and should stand ready to welcome the investigator in whatever garb he appears.

But more than this. Science must be true to itself as well as in accord with its surroundings. It must maintain ever the highest tone and the most impartial accuracy. It must covet the scrutiny of every eye, and must be generous ever in the acknowledgment of its shortcomings. Higher than all, it must be devoted to the truth. It must cheerfully undertake the severest labor to secure it, and must deem no sacrifice too great in order to preserve it. It must have an unlimited capacity for work, and an unlimited enthusiasm in it, while at the same time a proper reserve in affirming the results of it. While striving itself for the highest attainable accuracy, it must be catholic and liberal toward others. It must not magnify differences, nor impute motives. It must be ready to adjust, with the utmost patience, conclusions which are apparently discordant. It must treat all questions with fairness and candor. When it ventures nearest the boundaries of knowledge, it should assert itself cautiously. In its relations with other departments of knowledge, it must preserve toward them a due consideration. It must venture upon prediction with circumspection. It must take care, on the one hand, not to set too narrow limits to the possibilities of discovery; on the other, it must be quick to discern the directions of advance, and to utilize the smallest suggestion to promote discovery. It must be fruitful in working hypotheses, but it must test these with unsparing rigor before it offers them as a part of established truth.

Moreover, in order that it may advance beyond the boundaries of present knowledge, it must keep fully and constantly informed of the position of the ever-varying line which marks the limits of the known. It must have and use all the publications in which are recorded the work done by others in all the various fields of research. It must not waste its energies in doing again what has already been well done. Beginning its work where others have left off, it must carry out into the misty region of hypothesis the most complete methods known for the solution of the problems it has attacked. Not contented alone with receiving the work of others, it must furnish its methods and results for publication, thus contributing its part to the interchange and discussion of opinions by which discoveries finally become an integral part of truth. It must recognize the importance of making the scientific literature of the day the repository of scientific progress; so that every advance, whether of theoretic or applied science, may find a record in its pages.

The year 1883 opens auspiciously. The scientific sky is clear, and the outlook promising. If true to itself and to its surroundings, American science has nothing to fear from the future. With the increase of a generous people, and the spread of intelligent scientific thought, it has every thing to hope. Under these favorable circumstances, enters upon its career. May it early recognize the conditions of this certain progress, and ---may it [sic] be on the alert to help it forward.