Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-22
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Tns pmrsrcaL DEGESERAry OF PEE AaEai-
cAy PEoPLE-Are the Americans, as people,
physically dcgeneratings Such is the question
which is discussed, with much ability, in late
number of the London Times. The sang TroiT
with which our cousin Bulls discuss every thing
pertaining to Americ4 and Americans and the
apparent candor with which they always deal
with Us makes US sometimes almost believe
that they really do feel some of that friendly
affection which they 50 ofsen profess, and which
our relationship ought, at least, to afford Je=l-
Gus, though, as sire, are apt to cEisicise
with good deal Of severity, every thing sid
By john, which * the least derogslory of iona
rhan's exalted opinion of himself We cannot
bear to be told Of our weaknesses, any more
than We can O. cur faults; hence, it WAS not 81
all surprising to see several of our eastern jour-
nsls fare up with indignation, when John, after
calmly considering the shove question, comes
soberly to the conclusion that We Americans,
people, are degenerasing physically.
Button, and other naturalists Of his day, star
ted the theory that since the animals found in
America we're smaller and of weaker class
than those belonging to the Old World the Eu-
ropean race, when transported to our soil, wonld
therefore necessarily degenerate. To this theory
we were wont TO reply by comparing the abo-
regimes Of America with those of the countries
of the Old World Ours were more hardy, bra
yer ard noble than any others Thus We de-
Tended ourselves, in times past, ere the history
of the Angio-Saxon race in America had taught
6 complete lesson, but, thinks the Tines, we are
beginning 10 learn better, and it processes it
would nat be surprised to see some American
naturalist resuscitating the old theory
Indeed, there may be some truth in the con-
clusion 10 which such theory would lesd, but
we think that the e1wses of our physical degeDe-
racy are quite different from those supposed in
the theory OF the learned Frenchman, above
nsmed. If We are, in the progress at our nation
al existence, becoming weaker and more effern-
mate race, upon the revolution of each succeed
ing year, it is because of the general and almost
universal neglect, upon the part OF our people,
70 indulge in those healthy and life giving phys
ical exercises which are so conducive and SO
necessary to the vigor and strength of the hu-
man body. If Americans are less firm, less
robust than they were in the days Of Wash
ingtou, !: is to be attributed TO the causes al
ready mentioned.
Without at all prcsu:ning to give an answer
to the question with which we set out, we would
repeat the suggestion so often ineffec tualy rung
in our cars, and would apply it Individually TO
each of cur readerS-;o wit: the importance of
frequent physical exercise Our climates, per-
haps, more healthy than that of England, yet,
general thing the English are stouter and
more robust than We, and no other reason can
be assigned for it than that they, convinced Of
its necessity, are just regular in taking their
exercise as in taking their meals.