The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1886-12-03

observe that the temperance agitation,
which half q century ago, ,exIsted on
" as an undeveloped sentiment In
the minds OF the few, has advanced,
gathering new force, until, to-day, II
has become an essential part OF relI.
gIon has entered like wedge into
the arena Of politics, bidding fair 10
bring about an entire reorganization
Of the parties and even cold, ,lnaper.
turable science has been compelled 10
throw away somo OF her accepted
theories, and TO receive, 90 established,
facts that have been brought out by
temperance study.
While there Is very extensive
literature relating to the hereditary
transmission of certain diseases, such
as scroiula, consumption, insanity and
cancer, yet, strange 10 say, the hered-
lty Of mental qualities aud bents Of
the mind has been but very lightly
touched upon, indeed has almost bssE
terra IncognIta,' until our National
w. q. T. U. has made Of this subject
special department. Of work, and
thus new facts and ideas are being
brought oul.
Hereditary predisposiiisn shows
itself Ia the resemblance Of children
to their parents or ancestors. Some
times the child IL an exact counter.
part cf the parent In phy sIque and
temperament. There 10 almost al
ways reproduced Ia the child some
strongly marked feature Of the parent,
some dsformity or popularity oftasts,
temper or habit, which may ever DO
transmitted through several genera
tlons. Instances surround Us on every
hand, but, from the nature Of tho
case, We are limited 10 families whose
prominence In the werld's history
causes them 10 be universally known.
In ancient Reno We observe the lib
eralIty and mild humanity running
through the family Of the Gracchl :;
the severity and stolcism Of the Catos;
aud tho anreleniIng cruelty OF the
Claudlan race. In France we sec ths
factious Tashness OF the GuIces, and
the irritable and unloading character
Of the family Of Aiirabea. We must
not pass the English Herscnels and
tho Pitts, nor the Scottish family O
Gregorys, Of whom, not fewer .aaE
sixteen members, attained 10 greaI
promiuenee and lastly In our own
| America, the vigorous intellect Of ths
Adams family, extending through
several generations. The list Nigh
be indefinitely extended, furnishing
examples OF the Transmission OF vlr
tues, vices and talents. The French
aud Spanish Royal family Of BOur
bons NxemplIGies The heredIty o
lIcensIous and Inlemperate habits
continuing ever 70 the present day.
| But Il y not among names prem
lInent in the worlds history that W.
must look for examples OF the hered.
isy 81 Intemperance, rs families ad'
dISted TO such misunderstanding iniiu.
ense cannot long maintain thelI
prominence and influence, bat instsad
will find their natural element among
the criminal and vicious classes.
The writer once knew In Canada
an old gentleman, . minister, who,
throughout q long life, had been q
moderate drinker. His four sons
now past middle life Themselves, have
none Of them attained even q moder.
ate success In life, and are all In the
habit OF gsing on an occasional spre0
The old gentleman passed.away many
years since, and has lefl behind him
% or 30 grandchildren who, almost
without exception, belong TO the Grim.
inal and vicious classes, and ct least
two Of them are at the present time
serving out terms In the penitentIary
MRs. III. Fl. ELLIS,
Supt. OF HsridIty.