| 46 or the mother country, having granted a city charter ever took it back. It will, we presume be left for the State of Illinois to launch forth into this new field of legislation. and accomplish this feat ; which would be as disreputable as it is strange; which would stamp an eternal stain upon her escutcheon, and be an anomoly [anomaly] the history of all free nations, and we presume in the world.
When the 'Magna Charta' was signed by King John of England, although much against his will, was that instrument ever recinded [rescinded], either by him or any succeeding monarch? It was not:-the subject never entered their councils.
There have many charters and grants been made by that country, to cities, boroughs, certain districts of country, and to individuals, many of which are foolish and obnoxious, but their rights have been held sacred and inviolate.
In New York the 'Manhattan company' petitioned the Legislature for a charter, granting them the privilege of watering the city, and in that charter there was an ambiguous clause pertaining to their surplus funds, which was unobserved by the legislators; but which, however, gave them a perpetual charter for a bank: their petition was heard; they commenced their banking operations, to the surprise of the legislators, who soon saw how they had been duped;-the subject of repeal was brought up before the house; but it could not be carried. The people were enraged, and the Legislature were called on a special session to investigate the subject of repeal; but they found that they could not honorably accomplish it, and all that they could do was to pass an act that no charter of a similar kind should again be granted.
Here then was a charter obtained through duplicity and guile, which the Legislative Assembly of New York found themselves bound to maintain inviolate; whilst our charter was obtained openly, honorably, and above board, and because there is a bare supposition without proof, that one individual has done something wrong, our charter must be taken away, the whole of the citizens injured; and our city laws and polity destroyed.
We might refer to the bad policy of such a step and its injury to the Government; the loss that would be sustained by companies, and individuals; the want of confidence that such a step would produce &c; but as our sheet is not large, we shall desist; and shall content ourselves, for the present, by saying that as such a step would be unprecedented in the annals of Legislative bodies; that as it would be contrary to sound policy: that as it would be dishonorable and unconstitutional; and would be a great injury to private individuals, that as the State is at the present time, through absolute necessity, on the verge of repudiation; that they will not recklessly commit themselves by depriving a number of their fellow citizens of their chartered rights, and bring dishonor on the State, that might be avoided. We believe they will not.
For the Times and Seasons
BROTHER TAYLOR:-It has occurred to my mind that a few thoughts on the utility of a general diffusion of science, would not be uninteresting to the readers of the 'Times and Seasons.' The following is therefore respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Science, in its extended import is a development and collection of facts, and their comparison with each other, or the comparing of things as they exist in nature.
True science is a discovery of the secret, immutable and eternal laws, by which the universe is governed; and when practically applied, sets in motion the mighty wheels of useful engines, with all the various machinery which genius has invented, or art contrived.-It ameliorates the condition of man, by extending the means of intellectual, moral, social, and domestic happiness.
The greatest discoveries in science, have not been made by the most powerful intellects under extraordinary circumstances; but by the concentrated efforts of ordinary minds under favorable circumstances. As the concentrated solar rays will ignite when brought to a focus through a common lens.
A spectacle-maker's boy led to the discovery of the telescope. The discovery of a fountain player, that water could rise only to thirty-two feet in the tube of a forcing engine led Galileo, to calculate the gravity of the air.
Archimedes by observation discovered the process of determining the specific gravity of bodies while in the act of bathing.
Newten's [Newton's] attention was directed to the law of gravitation by the falling of an apple upon his head. On being asked how he discovered the true system of the universe, he replied, "by continually thinking about it. If I have done the world and service' (continued he) 'it has been by industry, and patient thought.'
The saints being of choice intellects, selected from the great mass of mankind, with free and independent minds, determined to think and know for themselves, are well situated by an attentive observation of the phenomens [phenomena] and laws of nature, (the laws of motion, mechanics, &c.)
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