, 1876-08-26
Eleredity A. min.

~ HE lIDll'N VT thls biNh ~
last weeks STAR you say, g. am NOT
prepared to admit that the heritage ~
the race is burdened with more evil timn
good" Neither am I I; hut that the her
itage of evil in the case of many indio'd
uals is more than of good. it seems To me
cannot be denied.
You say "neither can admit thar in
herited detormitics, physical or mental,
or arrested developments, are not snscep
tible of improvement and entire eradi-
cation in most instances, hy careful
watching and training on the part of the
parent or guardian and hy the individu-
sl at maternity"
NV view OF such cases is somewhat
different; the value of remedial agencies
in the individual cases after birth, though
uot without use, is generally estimated
very far above what the results generally
warrant; they are cases of hereditary un
soundness, and the causes are back Of
birth, and cannot possibly he reached or
removed; the effects are fixed and can
not be remedied. All the Inherent pow
ers of every individual are developed in
him before birth, and cannot in the M
ture of things be added TO after birth;
and whatever powers the individual may
afterwards show, will lie precisely in ac-
corlance with those inherent and inher-
tied powers which constitute the fount.
ain head above which he caunot rise.
A vicious horse may be learned habits,
and by kind and geutle treatment train
ed to usefulness; Int his natural vicious.
ness can never be eradicated or modified
to any considerable extent but will al
n. ways show itself under tar less proyok
ing circumstances than would be requir
ed in the case Of one of far better dispo-
sition, and will always prove treacherous
and unreliable under far less provoking
circumstances. Just 30 ii is with vicious
men in reference to their inherited char
acteristics. Indipidudls cannot outgrow
their heritage of evil; but the race may
on the principle of the survival of the
nttest," or through the enlightened prac'
tice Of men and women 30 as TO avoid
the transmission Of their own infrmitiee
to so great an extent. and of their better
qualities to greater extent.
l would not "drown or smother" the
unfortunate victims of; hereditary evil;
\ but would enlighten them and urge them
80 TAR as in them lies, to avoid transmit
Y ting their heritage of evil To. their Off
iTsprlng, Notwithstanding that their indi.
'NVidual cases may be irremidable; If they
IHwili surround the prenated development
'1oi their own offspring with more favor.
pdaole conditions than their own was sur
pounded with, they may be assured that
improvement will be the manifest result;
fnd in this direction only can one look
dor resumption and improvement in the
ahuman race.
y lhere is a restorative power in nature,
e tendency to recover from peryers-
pn, To illustrate-suppose man and
y au Wlie both inherited scofula; in them
y "d'ciduals it cannot be eradicated;
y 'ney' 1t sufficiently enlightened, may
= SOnioFm their lives to the principles
I'll a!s'ene, and surround the parental
r'S'ence OF their children so as to avoid
aSmisting it to them in SD aggregate
Xpe as they received It; and under
ENegimen, continued few genera
4 y Ncrotula in the line Of that family