The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-08-26
DESTROYING THE RACE.
Careful study of Degeneration "a
Noted in the Inebriate.

study Oh a.
Noted in the Incbriate.
All authorities agree that from 60 to
so per cent. of all inebriates have drink
ing parents or grandparents. IN a
very large number of cases the ances-
tors were excessive users of spirits, and
poisoned to the extent of intoNiCation
often. While it is difficult to explain
exactly what is transmitted to the next
generation, and what conditions make
the children of inebriates more certain
to use spirits, there is one genera! fact
overlooked in all these cases. That is,
family and race degeneration.
Certain families are dying out, and
the use of alcohol in the ancestors pre-
cfpitates death and extinction. Other
families have. reached a level from
which they cannot ascend, and from
slight causes deteriorate. Moderate
drinking, or intemperance of any form,
sends them down. The union of two
families on the descending scale is Ger,
tain to be followed by degenerates
both physical and mental The chill
dren of inebriates are always of an ex'
hausted race, rushing down to eXtinc,
ton.
Marriage with a robust race ascend,
ing in the scale of evolution and
growth, may halt this decline, and il
the next generation bring back to q
level from which ascent may begin
again. Marriage with a race already
declining is often followed by great
fecundation or barrenness. In one
case a numerous family follows, as il
nature was making a supreme effort II
keep alive the family by multiplying
the numbers. In the other case the
births are few and of low vitality, dying
cut early.
These so to 80 per cent. Of all inebri-
ates are the dying remnants of families
and races. They have long ago passed
the levels of growth and development,
and are on the down track TO dissOlu-
ton and extinction. TIE parents of
alcoholic poisoning have lowered the
race stock in vitality, beyond the power
of ascent or possibility to rise above
and overcome this downward tendency.
Such parents not only destroy them
selves, but cut off the race from which
they sprung. 1t is rule to which there
are few exceptions that extinction
follows in the third generation from in
ebriate parents. In the exceptions,
fortunate marriages, surroundings and,
conditions of living have checked the
dissolution and started the race back
to higher levels.
The practical question in every case
of inebrety is this: Did the degenera-
ton of the present inebriate begin in
the ancestors? Is he from dying
stock or race? Where is he at present?
What are the present symptoms of men
tai and physical degeneration? How
far has alcohol fixed md settled the
lines of race and individual decay?
What chance is there to stop this dis
solution and bring back the vitality to
a normal level?
These are the lines of treatment
which involve morr than drugs andspe-
cites, more than the pledge or prayer,
and comprise every means and rational
measure that will build up and raise
the entire man to higher levels of life
and living. This great drink prob
lem," which we are so anXiously try
ing to understand. is a veritable dis
ease and an organized march Of dissOlu
ton, which is not checked by will
power, or means that are not radical
and thorough.
The men and women who are bank
rupts in health and intellectual
power find in alcohol grateful ''ne-
penthe'' covering up the discomfort of
oncoming dissolution. The young
man and woman of low grade vital
power and defective, unstable brain
control, although brilliant and pre-
cocious, find in alcohol the most de-
iusir. relief from the strain and eX-
haustion of life. No drug deterioriates
so quickly these faulty, loW-yrade, ir-
regular brain powers Ss alcohol. Prac-
tically, prevention is the highest posi-
BILE attainment of science. Next, to
halt this doomed class and help them
back to levels of right living. Beyond
this. to stop race degeneration, if posi-
bic, and save families and races from
this inevitable dissolution, by bringing
into operation laws of evolution and
growth that will antagonize decay.
Women can do more than men TO bring
about this new evolution of the race
and clear away the mystery which
shrouds the steady, slow death of over a
million and a half persons yearly in
this country.-T. D. Crothers, in Union
Signal.
VARIOUS NOTES.
The saloon is on trial for its life. You