Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-07-05
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
CONCERNING LIFE.
No. 3.


view Of animal life, from the Silurian to
the Tirtiary formation; the latter called
the Age OF Mammals. Some OF the do
nestle animals, also the grain bearing
plants, were introduced just before the
advent of man, designed by Infinite Wis
dom, expressly for his use. When the
brute creation had been finished; the earth
prepared to ''bring forth seed TO the sower
and bread TO the eater and when exogcn-
eous trees bore their blushing fruit TO sup
ply the wants of a superior race; an ire
vocabe fiat OF Divine authority brought
man upon the stage OF action. In the ap-
pearnce of the human family, the last pro-
duct OF creation, life was advanced To It's
highest state Of population. Mans whole
structure declares his intellectual and
spiritual nature. Though weak and igno-
rant in his primeval condition, he is endow
ell with powers capable ofunlmited expan-
sion, and an Intelligent survey of nature,
the existancc OF Deity whose matchless
skill is displayed throughout boundless
universe.
The origin. antiquity and different vari-
eties Of men Is great mystery, and has
called forth the attention OF learned scien-
fists for many years. Still the whole mat
ter rests upon uncertain, vague coujec-
ture.
The Mosaic record i relied upon by
theologians as a correct history of the de-
scent of the the whole human family. Oar
win, Huxley, Wallace, Iluecel, Spencer
and many others maintain that man, by
selection, evolution and developme mt,
originated from an ape-like animal. 1t is
conceded, however, that no one OF the
now living nearest allied animals, such rs
the gorilla, orang or chimpanZee is the
immediate ancestor of man. The brain
capacity OF the highest animal is only one
half as large as the lowest man, hence 1t is
inferred that the transition from the ape
family TO the human, leaves a gap once
supplied by higher type, called "the
missing link.
Darwin assumes that mans birthplace
WIS in Africa, ard that he descended from
4 hairy animal arboreal in its habits which
would be classed by naturalsts As quad
rurama, having hands and feet like man,
this and all other higher animals were de-
rived from marsupial, and this through
long line of diver stied forms, aud
through many ages. originated from some
fsh-like animal. In the dim obscnrity Of
the past we can see that the early progeni-
tors of mankind must have been aquatic
with both sexes united in the same indi
vidual'.
Some learned naturalists believe in 4
plurality of creative acts, corresponding
10 the well defined races In the human
family. They assert that neither change
of climate or condition in life, can make
the contrast which now exists between til c
prominent races OF mankind. The negro
of today, whether in temperate or torrid
zone, Is the same IS he was three or four
thousand years ago. There seems TO be no
evidence that change from white TO ne
gro blackness is possible. 1t is well
known that in Egyptian pictures more
than three thousand years ago, the African
is portrayed with woolly hair, and pro-
jecting lips, kneeling at the feet OF Sethos,
in the same attitude of bondage and sub
mission which has so long typifed the
race.
We find man, as he was in the pre-his-
toric period, scattered almost over the en-
tire surface OF the world, from the frozen
regions of the North TO the burning climes
OF the South everywhere maintaining the
peculiar characteristics OF his race. Ac-
cording 10 recent estimates, the human
family numbers about | 300, ,000, 900, class
iied by naturalists into several distinct
races, the Caucasian, Mayla, Moneolian,
Negro, and Indian, all differing in complex
ion, structure, physiognomy, modes of
life, religious belief, powers OF intellect,
and capabilities OF progress. The eau
cassian or white race are superior and
have made greater advancement in the
arts, sciences and civilization, than all
others combined.
Many learned authors contend for q
higher antiquity Of men than can be shown
by the Mosaic record. Archaeological and
scientific Investigations indicate that
certain races Of men have existed
on this planet for a long period, ex'
tending, as some assume, far back Of the