Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-04
THE SURVIVAL OF THE F1TTEST

81 The blacklist of black sheep in the
c3whole flock of political economists. has
sAbcen reckoned Nautilus, who having
Hproved to his own satisfaction that
#population increased in the geometrical
iGratio Of progression, while food in
decreased only al the arithmetical rate
Mproclaimed the doctrine of compulsory
Tdrestrictions upon procreation, or else an
f,inevitable failure of the food supply.
gBefore political economy became al
3science, however. there were worse
s1means than those advocated by NAL
8thus in use to lessen population among
IIseveral ancient nations, as the EXPOSURE
ldof newborn infants, usually fcmale;-
din short. infanticide. Similar practices
ain Asia were common, until recently.
Njif they are not still the custom in some
81 districts.
III But Herbert Spencer's philosophy is
sAfull of teachings and conclusions more
Mcruel than that of Nautilus, il they do
ssnot really reach the inhumanity of the
sabarbarous practices referred to- Pessi-
Ijmistic to the core, taking men and
lthings at their worst, and leaving God
'aand all the virtues out of the calcula-
tStion Except as they will pay in CASH
'She comes to the most monstrous results
Mand coolly claims that they are the in
.5evltable conclusions from the facts and
aiEures rs subjected to impartial logic
sAtiis ability is equalled only by his cold !
Ssbloodcd inhumanity; and as he Is the
IAanti-Christ of the period, so is he the
ISgreat apostle OF Selhshness. as opposed
|Nto Christ's dispensation OF love and
Ehelp. 1t is to him and his writings that
s!all the modern worshipers of Baal.
81 Mammon and Molock look for defence
Ssand justification; and probably the
Sgreatest calamity that ever befell the
Sworld-surpassng in evil the worst
siscourges of their fellow-men with fire
Aand sword-was the birth of Herbert
HSpencer. with his ferocious and atroci-
Il ous pen.
N 1t is in his philosophy and It's argu-
Sjments and statements that all misgov-
'Hernment, cruelty, and meanness find
n Their warrant and apology; and If hu-
dman sharks, tigers, boa constric tors,
'awolves and other predacious creatures
.Jdevour and destroy all who cannot pro-
'Jtect themselves or make their escape,
y9it is the law of nature and necessity,
(which must not only be obeyed but
(which is for the best as thereby we
Sdhave the survival of the fittest-a ply
Ssical Darwinian, which Spencer adapts
1and applies to man in all his relations
,3and developments. In fine, the Spen-
9cerIan doctrine of life is that of force,
astrife. the triumph of the strongest and
.3the crushing of the weakest, without
Srcscue. 1t is true that he shows how
ghls doctrine may lead to good through
Iaeyil-or what he recognizes as substi-
E5tutes for good and evil; but at best it
f,is but q new version OF the old princi-
tiple, that the end justines the means
'Sond accusing nature of being RESPONSE
3ble FOR the means.
a OF course, he and his disciples put
.}ihc best side of his theories to the
Hfront but the student who looks before
ssand after, and who will see behind
athe scenes and the returns. and under
Athc surface OF things. recognizes Spen-
.$cer as the author and founder of the
Nsystem that is now proposed to super
sicede all religions. all governments. all
Ejpoltics and PHILOSOPHERS in great in
gtcrnational association, or solidarity. OF
Smoney and power Ohc factors of para
1mount force), that these may not be
sdwasted in contests or competitions OF
t5nations or peoples in war or commerce,
aibut may be unified into world monop-
i}oly Of all things and persons; the labor
f3of Europe, America, Asia. Africa and
3the isles of the sea to be cQualiZed in
.iwagcs and conditions; the production
Band consumption of the earth to be reg
{iulated by the international combine in
kind and terms of exchange
-annder the name of free trade; no ma
S,tions nor peoples to go to war, or strife
t5of any kind. but all TO serve the great
s1comhinc of paramount force. on its
s1,erms; no more pensions. charitable In
eistitutions. or free schools. or any benev-
@lo.ence making Il charge on power and
.Jmoncy: the people everywhere 10 be
S1rcduccd to ignorance. pauperism. and
sjforcod labor for n bare subsistence
s1wth paramount force securing ali
gjthings worth having to the privileged
33few. the superior beings. the strongest
'aand "the fittest." who compose the In
3yternational Bund and their superscr-
s3viceable advocates. like Spencer, who
Hdefy Force and canonizc Selnshness.
II All contend!ng for more, there is not
sJenought for all. and there Is fierce
sAstruggle for existence. Money and