Oregon spectator., October 29, 1846, Image 1

I"
"GIVE U8 BUT LIGHT."
Mr. Parraday, the celebrated chemist of
London, has, In the prosecution oi nis re.
.marches Into the nature of electricity and
maKnotism, succeedod in obtaining, expert,
mentally, that, which, with untiring Indus.
t, Bnil iho inout confident perseverance, he
ban so long sought for the direct relation of
electricity and magnetism to light. Tho na.
turo of electricity and magnetism is not ves
Hufliuiently understood to demonstrate what
we have long believed to bo tho fact, that
light is tho result of eloctrical or magnetic
action ; and wo may add also heat for, al
though philosophers discourso about tho
rrment of light and boat, wo think that it
would puzzle the best of them to prove tho
exigence of either. They are said to exist
in a latent condition, and to bo rendered
free, or exhibited by collision, as by striking
the flint and steel together but if such wore
the fact, we should have light existing in a
durk, and heat in a cold condition. But that
thoHO supposed elomenls do not no exist can
bo proved by a simple experiment. A pistol
snapped in an exhausted receiver will nei
thor produce light nor heat ; showing that
the presence of the atmosphere is necessary
to their production. Wo believe, and have
maintained for about fifteen years past, that
the light of ilay is the effect of electrical or
magnetic action upon the atmosphere aid
surface of the earth that the heat of day is
produced by tho same process that the sun
is the grcut source of this action and that,
in fact, electricity, or magnetism, is the great
agent, under Deity, by which the universe is
controlled that it gives to the planets their
diurnal and annual motions imparts to them
light and heat produces vegetation; &c.
Various experiments tend to justify these po
sitions. Electricity, thrown on an artificial
globe, produces both light and hat ; and, in
luot, this wonderful clement possesses all the
powers attributed by philosophers to the sun
it attracts, repels, produces ro'.ary motion,
and generates light and heat.
To account for these phenomena, we need
not, therefore, resort to imaginary elements"
nr adopt theories which are the mere coinage
of the brain, such ns that advocated by Dr.
I.nrdner about the nature of light, and which
In- informed us is generally received as cor
rect by tho philosophers of Europe viz:
that light is a fluid whiclr floats around and
encompasses tho body of the sun ; but which
kindly leaves the cavities, or spots upon the
.sun, uncovered for our inspection. This
theory is only a modification of that advan
ced by Sir John Hcrhchcll, which, though in.
geiiious, cannot bear the test of common
sense examination. Dcitv has employed the
most direct and simple means for all purposes,
never using more agents thata arc necessary
to tho purpose in view. The elempnt of
electricity has been created for wise and be
ncficicnt purposes ; and if it can be shown
(and such will, probably, be the case in a
more improved state of science,) that it is
competent to produce all the results which
we now attribute to supposed elements, true
philosophy will he substituted for absurd the
orics ; and the beauty, harmony, and simpli
city of tho machinery of tho universe will
become more manifest, to tho greator exalta
tion in our minds, of tho wisdom and good,
ness of the great Creator of all.
A GREAT PLACE FOR RoOUES. The City
of Naplos proper is tho most thieving place
on earth. The population is 400,000, viz:
100,000 thieves, 100,000 beggars, 100,000
soldiers, and the balance decent people, who
are made up of foreigners, respectable per.
sons, and shopmen, with the nobility and fish,
rrmen, who rank as the moat honest of the
Neapolitans.
Popular Delusions. It is a popular do.
lusion to believe that it is more meritorious
to squandor money on fanoied privations
abroad than to relieve actual distress at
home.
It is a popular delusion to believe that
powder on a lady's face has the same effect
as in the pan ol a musket assists her to go
off.
It is a popular dolusion to bolieve that
Nature, when sho mado " lovelv woman."
meant, but omitted, to have finished her off
with a bustlo.
It is a popular delusion to believe that an
ignorant and vulgar man, by being smuggled
into ono of the learned professions, becomes
a scholar and a gentleman.
Oregon Spectator.
Westward U Star of Kmfin Ukw fa war."
f-t" -itji:r-r-j" :. jb- i -.: -?? -.'I'. , -h- ... , , , ..
' Vol. L Ortf o City, (Ortfoi Ter.) thinity, Octet 29, 114. Mt. 20.
OUR COUNTRY AND HER FUTURE.
Without being smiled at as a rhapsodist,
it is a bright thought, that every American
may take a personal pride in contemplating
his country's inevitably glorious destiny.
Review the history of the past, and look for
ward into the bright colored future. The
first but induces the latter, and to study the
philosophy of history, is but to make prepa
ration for further achievements. The mat
tcr of national pride of patriotio feeling
of love for one's country, sinks into compa.
rative insignificance nothingness, if it
comprehends naught else than the mere idea
of birth place. The country must be
identified with the individual, and the indi
vidual with the country. The object, end,
mid very existence of its government must
be for humanlt for the elevation of the
down-trodden of the whole world tho re
lief of the oppressed the declaration and
maintenance of 1 uman rights. When such
ih tiie character, and history of a country, no
wonder that the heart warms with love, and
pours out its very life-blood in defending it.
The love of country, then, rises to be the
noblest of human passions next to the love
of God.
Seventy years ago, but thirteen confeder.
ate States the New World with a popula.
tion of three million souls, struggled in des
perate battle with the old world for liberty
und independence. The Atlantic on the
East, tho Lakes on the North, the Missis-
kippi river on tho West, and a foreign pow.
er upon the south were the boundaries ol
our country : with the uult ol Mexico, the
out-let of our great river, in the possession of
a powcriui monarcnicai cnvcrninem.
Look at thepresent. What a magnificent
change ! Steadily have we moved onward
and upward to a point of national greatness
unparallclled in the history of the world.
Upon the East and North our boundaries re.
main unchanged ; on the South, however, by
peaceful purchase, the waters of the Gulf.
strcarruiow lave our soil ; there remains no
foreign power to dispute with us the right to
navigate the mighty Mississippi, whose richly
productive and populous valley now forms
the grand centre of the country ; upon the
West we have crossed the Rocky mountains,
unfurled our starry flagon the plains of Ore.
gon, and claim the Pacific as our natural
Western boundary. The thirteen States
have grown to a confederation of twenty
eight, with a population of upwards of twenty
million. Texas is ours, Oregon is shall
be, by right of peaceful occupation, we
hope if not, by tho last but necessary other
way.
The present is but the germ of a still more
glorious future, for " coming events cast their
shadows before," and we find upon our own
age tho indications of those brilliant days
which are further to illume the page of
American history. Mexico is waning with
her destiny ;-her efforts will be futile, aud the
southern limits of the United States shall be
extended to the Isthmus of Darien. The rich
and salubrious California the mineral
wealth of New Mexico shall be ours, in
trust for the benefit of humanity. Canada is
heaving and struggling with the repressed
spirit of liberty : as soon as the time comes
and it must, inevitably, for it is a thing of
tate eho will rush into our embrace in spite
of the armed power of all Europe, and be.
come a glorious member of the great family
of Republics. Our northern boundary the
ArctioSea, what colossal proportions will
our country then present! Not unwieldy
or in danger of dismemberment from itssixe
the day has passed away when such
thoughts were entertained, for speed of ooro
muuioation has already done much towards
annihilating distance, bringing the most re
mote sections of our country In oloee pro,
imity and familiar intercourse. What more
may wq,not bpe, (or from the wonders of par
century the graad javsattona end brUUaat
gets better. May God Maker for tho
saw, not of evoh faoeJe, h of the poor.
For s uoh, it Is a mef tMfttfaey should
prise, that all msMexemble and fall to ruin,
if they will .work aa weary to death the
poor maid who cooks in the kitchen.
She lived for you in the dirt and ashes,
provide daily for poor and rich ; you aught
to humbVyourselvea for her sake. a Ah,
could we hete that you would take a hint,
uA,mJV ome heed to the house.
maid before sfct was worn out and wearied
to death."
dieooreries the use and application of steam
power the railroad and the locomotive
the magnetic telegraph, to spread, with light
ning speed, the momentary occurrences in
all portions of the country!
Do not all these seem given by Heaven
for the extension of our country, and the ex.
pansion of republicanism ? to work out the
redemption of the human race 1 to reimege
man in his godlike lineaments ?
G. L. C.
to" We clip from the New York Tribune
ths following prose translation of a poem,
written by Moritoz Hartmann, which lately
appeared in Germany :
Mistbbss Potato There was a great
stately house full of people, who havelxsen
running in and out of its lofty gates ever
since the gray times of Olympus. There
they wept, laughed, shouted, mourned, and
like day and night, came the usual changes
of joys, with plagues and sorrows. Haunt
ing that great house up and down, makiiur.
baking and roasting, covering and waiting
u" " mere uvea, a vasi number
of years, a loyal serving maid of the olden
time her name was Mrs. Potato.
She was a still, little old mother, who wore
no baubles', or laces, but always had to be
satisfied with her plain, every-day clothes,
and unheeded, unhonored, oftentimes jeered
at and forgotten, she served all day at the
kitchen fire, and slept at night in the worst
room. When she brought the dishes to the
table she got rarely a thankful glance, only
at times some very poor man would in secret
shake kindly her hand.
Generation after generation passed by, as
the trees blossom, bear fruit and wither, but
faithful remained the old housemaid, always
the servant of the last heir.
But one morning, hear what happened :
All the people came to table, ana lo! tin re
was nothing to eat, for our good old Mistress
Potato had not been able to rise from her bed.
Sho felt sharp pains creeping through her
poor old bones. No wonder she was worn
out at last. She had not, in all her life, da.
red to' take a day's rest, lest so the poor
should starve. Indeed it is wonderful that
her good will should have kept her up so
long. She must have had a great constitution
to begin with. ' ' '
The guests had to go away without break,
fast. They were a little troubled, hut hoped
to make up for it at dinner time.
But dinner time came, and the table was
empty ; and then, indeed, they began to in
quire about the welfare of Cookmaid Potato.
And up into her dark chamber, where she
lay on her poor bed, came great and little,
young and old, to ask after the good crea
ture. " What can be done for her 9" " Bring
warm clothes, medicine, a better bed. Lay
aside your work and help her." " If she dies
we shall never again be able to fill the table,"
and now indeed they sang her praises.
O what a fass now about the siok bed in
that moist and mouldy chamber! and out
doors it was just the same, priests with
their masses, processions and prayers, and
all the world ready to walk to penance if
Mistress Potato could be saved.
And the doctors in their wigs, and coun
sellors in masks of gravity, sat there to de
vise some remedy to divert this terrible ill.
As when a most illustrious dame is recov
erins from the birth of a son, bulletins inform
the world of the health of Mistresa Potato,
and not ooataat with what they so learn, cou.
riera and laoqueys besiege the door, nay, the
king's coaoh is stopping there.
ini yewi w i" ""
bout her they are all so frightened. Who
would ever have aeiwvea u in aaye waen we
table waa nloely covered..
, The ientlemeuof pens and books, 'priests,
kings, lords, and ministers, all have senses to
aoaL out famine. Natheleas Mistreat Potato
cesasatesmsassw m motAiek.j
Champoeg Gmaty, Oct. lifch, 184.
Editor tf As Spectator,
Diak Six I notice la th ! mtmho r
the Spectator, the proceeding of a meeting
lvj-o mi vitj jr, wgeiner wiin
an address to the Deoole of Um Trrii kv
the committee appointed by that meetine?,
"5"e M, i"wj',,Dv v umw course on
the cart of the citizens of other cnantUa an1
soliciting a general, action on this important
subject. I will nor attempt to describe the
anxiety and interest which this measure has
produced in our section of country.. Let it
suffice to say, that at the earnest request
oi many oi my neignoors, nor I nave con.
versed with many,) I am induced to address
you, though an entire stranger, hoping the
importance of the subject will sufficiently
excuse the liberty taken. With this intro
duction, I beg to state to you, as briefly aa
possible, some of the difficulties under which
we labor in regard to this matter. First, we
wish to know the prime object of sending a
petition, or messenger, to Congress at this
time, as it is not stated in the proceedings re.
ferrcd tc, nor in the address of the commit,
tec. Wo are pretty unanimous uV our con.
jecture, but fear we may be mistaken. In
perusing the last number of your excellent
paper, I find a bill has passed the lower
house of Congress, extending the, jurisdiction,
of the U. S. to this country, extending over
us the statute laws of Iowa. The Indian
system, and Post-office system. esUblisbing
military posts and authority forourprotee
tion, providing to furnish ua with arms and
ammunition, and anally providing for graata
of land to be made to us. This, at int view,
would -seem to cover the whole grepads of
our wishes but when closely exassJited. wa
. . . .- .
und one thing wanting. The Bill provides
for while persms only. This would cut off
many worthy citizens, whose interests, h fa
to be feared, has not bean fairlv n,nrmntmA
to our government but which many of us
nere nope it is tne ooject ot the oonventiea
to consider.
Are we risht 1 The Deoole of this ooratv
are anxious on this subject. We are all
tBujr u. iuuu) wiih uur ixieocn m Viaccamas,
so soon aa we are assured that ear interest
will be attended to, with that of the other
citizens of Oregon.
. I am the more encouraged in this hope
from Sfteintr in thn Wat nt (ha mmmiHu tL
names of several individaida who are known
to oe repuDiicans oi uoerai views, art who
have heretofore evinced'their 'interna In th
welfare of all the citizens of Oregon, regard-
less oi tne mere circumstantial dinerencasoi
birth, deo., which the more illiberal and Teas
enlightened part of the politicians have la
bored to make a ground of prejudice to a
large portion of the first settlers of Oregon,
and especially, of this coahtv.. h tn h
hoped that the time has come'wben republi.
oanistn wui reassume tne ewe spirit of our
ancestors, who, when they had effected the
libertv of their country. nmAlainwwt it a Am
and welcome home to the oppressed of every
1MU.
We also Wish to ha informed in thm
manner of electing a messenger, (should it
iw tuuuKiii proper to sena one,; wui no oe
eleoted by the convention, or by the people at
large f iCihe former, wUl it be eaaaatial that
each county should be rearesealsd in the
convention f If the latter, .vilL the highest
vote be sufficient, or will a majority of the
whole vote ef the Territory as respired!
w an ewer measures are liaejj ss I
Inr a ninssfinrrnr h Id that llseadr !! J
at. If anvt You will vfer a laatln Bursa
on many of your reade as well aa prpaa ,H'y
law HMnsin ouroasBe, oy gmaguswa
aeeeesary taformatie m your next, dssVww
may be prepared loftot In time lor tkQwu'.
vwwou. wrtn um nope oi eeoomunj wnssjr
acquainted, allow' me to subscrlbemyselfr n
Vaw MHUiUSiHi;. -IK
o. c. Mr
I
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