Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-11-25
NEW RNGLANDERs DYING OUT.


II will not fatter the native New. Eng
landers to find themselves compared
with the Sandwich Islanders. But the
comparison is made by New England
physician. The two peoples, according
tn him, are alike, however, only in their
tendency to die out. Besides the
"strictly native New Englanders," says
DR.. Allen. in the Popular Science Month
", "there Is only one other people or
race where there has been such q natu-
raj decrease in numbers-that 10, the
Sandwich Islsnders."
1t ia we'll known that since their Chris
tianization the people Of the Sandwich
Islands have fallen of rapidly in num-
bers. The decrease within fifty years
has been two-thirds. In 1880, when the
frat census was taken, ,hs population
was 10000. That was ten years after
the American missionaries began their
work. According to the last census the
total was only about 10000, or Less than
one-third as many as fifty years ago.
The trouble is that civilization has car
fieo INTO sne 0and"'on is'ands diseases
induced oy iicent'ousneas ana intemper-
anoe, which have caused a physlcal de-
generacy In the people. "The law of
propagation mas been violated 70 such
an extent that It threatens the extinction
Of that people" says DIR. Allen.
The decrease In numbers among the
strictly native New EnRlanders, how
ever, " attributed BY DR.. Allen, who has
long made special study Of the sub
jeot, to "some change in physical organ
isation." In the last century the colo
niAts OF New England, made up mostly
Of EnRlish stock, multiplied rapidly.
Their natural increase was 30 great that
they doubled In numbers in twenty-five
years. "Aalthus regarded them as the
best specimens in this respect Of any
people or race. and based upon facts
from this source his great principle Of
population"
But within the last two hundred ysars
. remarkable change has taken place.
Carefully kept records show that the
average number Of children to each
family has decreased with every genera
lion. "Thsy commenced with large
families, averaging eight NJ nine, but il
ID now doubtful whether the average
viii exceed three children 70 family,
Doarcsly enough 10 keep the original
'tock good in numbsra" And "this
change haa occurred In the same places.
With the same people, having the same
climate and plenty Of food"
The main oause, says DR.. Allen. 10
that the men are not % strong and
vigorous - their grandfather and an
cestora and the women have deterio-
rated physically in surprising degree.
4 majority Of them have q predomi-
nance Of nerve tissue, with weak mus |
ales and digestive organs. The most
marked change in this one khundred
ysars, in organization, 10 this loss Of |
balance or harmony in the organs; and
in women II 10 far more
striking. They have bean divsrHing
more and moss fron that normal stand
md upon which the Law Of propagation
10 based" Only about ons-half Of the
New ENGLAND woman aAn p,or.,,v
nurse their oasprine. and this inoapa- |
Dity for nursins u constantly inarsss-
Ina. This Dr.. Allen regards a vsrv
Of some change in orp.n;r..
lion 70 which the natural deor..., !. |
aue.
The facts, ON which n, Allan 49,.
his conolus;ona thu N.~ yo,l G..
ere Known 70 .vsrvhr.,v ~. :. |
familiar With the prsssut Nev rn.lsna |