Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-27
COMMUNICATION.
UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF THE HUMAN RACE.

the Human Races proued to be the doctrine O
Scripture, Reason, and Science, with review OF
the theory Of Professor Agassiz." BY the Rev
Thomas SMYTH, DID,.
We have not yet had an opportunity to read
this work of DR.. Smyth, nor that of Dr. Bachman
in which he also has published The Doctrine Of the Unity
the Human Race examined the principle of science
But we know the general of the arguments advanced
by the parties.
We veneate the ancient Hebrew Scriptures interpreters
OF Gods truthful designs towards man, and the lucid
historical evidence possess in writing of science
art, and literature. Moses unquesonaby man Of
science who adapted his language the character Of those
for whom he wrote, and for in all ages. We pleased
to have opportunity compare the knowledge of bis pc
Iod with our own There must be instruction in it. With
all allowance for of translation, misconceptions for
want OF similar information with the original writer's and any
other objections which may be urged believe these
lungs to be the most authentic and ineligible any
from ancient authorespcaly of the
natural character of all its images and figures of language
and OF the high moral duties they ncucale. We wish
gard them now in their plain historical sense agu-
ments undertaken to deny the most evident deductions
drawn from the literal text of the Genesis.
We do not consider this question of the unity Of the
one of philanthropy equvoca phrase as is often
used-nor subject to invite feeling of "degradation Of
the one race, formed by the God who formed u.s. be-
cause we do not yield that they derived from the same
common ancestors Nor the argument one anti-soca or
disoganizng" in its character tendencies if had
no proof of the original difference in the races We consider
grave question: in the search of scientific and natural
truth. '.> ."
Are the different varieties Of men descended from distinct
original stocks parentage by the design and intention Of
their Creator Or are they not And such opinion
tod in hy
is it not ".....
Upon this narrowed question take the affirmative, and
plead that is fully sustained by the Hebrew writings of an
quity, found in the Book of Genesis which agree with
the rational and scientific arguments of Of the best natu
ralss Of this age. w."
We have heard it asserted in the Southern country, by
practical observers that the mixed breed of nuaoes descend
ing from blacks and whites when they ntermay with those
OF mixed blood often prone barren and IN degree paake
of the unprofc character Of animals of distinct species This
is the argument with We do not tive do not
need it. Others consider that the of the excep
ton, this respect to the general rule which regulates other
classes of creatures Of distinct species We yield up this
cepton ALSO in order cut down the argument to it's scrip
tura character, which believe TO be scientific, RATIONAL
and ue and base opinion upon that of the Genesis but
in direct opposition to the authors above noticed
There in the Book of Genesis that Adam and
Eve had other children when Cain killed his brother Abel
We are informed that Cain left his parents and dwel in
the land of Nod the of Eden. And his us bare
him son, and he called his Enoch." After which
Cain bued city, and called the of the city after
the of his Enoch :" No woman can read this pas
sage without wishing to know ohere CAMS @ came from
very elderly lady. of great intelligence and good sense
of old Irish stock, who has been reader and OBJ
from her youth up, we'll chuchgoer remarked
hado nd at 6rstc,
"a child would that Cain had married other creature
than woman AS there no apparently given
the existence that time of any other than his
mother, Eve. But did not grow upon trees
nor fall from the clouds, any history she bad read
and Cain had children by his wife, she supposed he must
have found woman Of some sort, somewhere !"
We had heard clergyman presume that Cain had married
his sister, but ancient friend hooed at such idea
"as abhoent to every law and custom morality being
at all likely, and offensive to any reading in the Genesis
Such system objected in the Hebrew law after
wards given and could have been permitted the first
if any other plan could have served She never did be-
ieve that Indians and negroes Of the the
whites"
We told distinctly tha, ga mark was set upon Cain,
lest any finding him should kill him Still we read
Of who could him. by our method of trans.
aon His father and his mother the only persons mention
ed be in existence They would certainly require ark
to know and proec. their own child.
Some serious people have shown disposition to introduce
tco sisters Of Cain and Abel and say that jealousy
the Of the brothers falling But where is the
proof
The expression " Land Of Nod" means nothing impress
sive in English translation, because suppose Nod
the proper of certain district Of country to the east
OF Eden but implies very strong argument by ths true
Interpretation of the sense of the original Hebrew.
We have good authority for believing that Nod is not
substantive but an adjective noun and that signifies
" Wandering" or "The Wandering"
s'The land of the Wandering -peopk-suppose add
for explanation precedent in contradsncon to
the people of the Pleasant Gaden the word Eden is
said to sglify .,.a .t."
We have here at strong evidence Of distinction and
diversity in the people Of the earth. In Eden stationary
quiet horticultural people, keeping cattle also; and Wild
wandering" vagabond people in the land of Nod,
such as CAIN in has Distress says he is about become
Throughout the continent of America, when Spanish rule
prevailed similar division existed among the abognes
Indies eus mild tempered, GENTLE industrious, civil In
dians and Iados brapas, wild, untamed fierce, warke,
and wandering tribes all of them certainly created by the
same God, but differing much from each other n DISPOSE
ton and habits elephant from tiger.
The peculiarties distingushabe among the
tons Of Asia, Of Europe, and Of Afca. There mu be
some reason for it.
We cannot all be born 10 place, and locality does not
degrade us deprive natural claims for kindness