Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-01-20
From the Scientific American.
Physical Development in Amer

lea.
For eighty years we have existed a,
an Independent power among the na
tions, asserting by brain force and ner-
vous skill our equality with the older
races from which we sprang, and do
ing credit to the Tcuton and Ccltie
tribes (who were our originators), in
point of intellectual power and vigor-
Gus thought. This statement is one
which we believe will be acknowled by
by the most prejudiced commentator
on our social system. But while we
proudly indite such fact, we are also
compelled to acknowledge that we
have deterioratcd in physical develop
ment: The causes Of this deteriora-
tion have been consequence of cur
independence; for to prove that we
were capable OF doing what in the rev
olutionary days we said we would
achieve, it was requisite that for time
VIC would forget our personal materi-
ality, and think only how best to use
the "dweller in the temple" regard
less of the temple itself Having now
however, proved the position that our
fore fathers assumed and being able to
keep it with the exercise of an orGi
nary amount of brain force, it is nee
cssary that we should look to the walls
Of the temple, in order to preserve it
in that sound and weather proof
state that its Grand Designer intended
it to be.
Nearly every lecture this season has
had something bearing on this ques-
tion; and there is in the press mighty
surging, that indicates truly the waves
Of argument that arc tc come, and
wash muscle, bone and sinew into the
American child. On every hand we
see it exciting good mems attention;
and even from the pulpit we have
heard, so to speak, muscular Christi
anity. preached. Pure health in a
normal man is more the nutural bal
ance of thought, feeling, and bodily
vigor than the mere absence of dis
ease, and with Us this balance has been
somewhat impaired, and would we
keep that power to go-a-head as we
wish-would we show that our
thoughts are good or great, our prin-
ciples noble and sublime-we must
keep in healthy action and perfect tune
the instrument through which they re-
veal themselves to the outer world
This is the body (the frame work }
that contains our individuality-"the
house IRE live in"
That pleasant philosopher. DIR. o.
w. Holmes, says in a recent number
of the Atlantic Monthly. the
strong hate the weak. It's all right.
The arrangement has reference to the
race, not the individual. Infrmity
must be kicked out. or the stock run
down" Harsh as this may appear.
it is true; for we cannot affor |, our
bodies being necessary agents to effect
the objects Of our wills, that they be
constitutionally weak, and incapaei-
tated for the labor they have to do.
and that the will commands, or the
thought inspires them to perform
There is a bodily insanity as well as a
mental one; and as excess of any Kind
induces the one, so does want Of air.
exercise and equalizing action produce
the other.
There is another grand cause ol
bodily infirmity in this country. and
that is, the vast amount Of quack med
icines which are annually swallowed
by persons. for purposes honest and
: dishonest, and which, if they do not