The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-02-22
ASPECT OF EVOLUTION.
The Darwinian Theory Examined


The Darwinian Theory Examined.
Much consideration has been given
of late by the savants of the age to
the possibility and probability of evo-
luton. 1t is the intention of the
writer of this essay to explain and
refute the errors of this system of
simple manner, for the vast majority
of readers who have neither the incli-
nation nor the leisure to delve deep
into the depths of philosophy.
Evolution, according the general
acceptation of the word, consists in
series of existences, one advancing
step beyond the other, and becoming
more and more perfect in each transi-
ton, until after passing through an
indefinite number of changes in an in
definite time, the series terminates in
man, the most perfect of all animals.
This theory, although thought out
by the fathers of the church, and re-
jected by them as insufficient to ex-
plain the origin of man, was introduc-
ed again by Darwin in the year 1858.
He maintained that ages ago nothing
existed but atoms, from which in the
course of time monera were develop
ed. These monera i'll turn produced
other forms of a nobler nature and
thus the transformations continued
for centuries; then came "The fight
for life," the inferior animals sue
cumbing and from the latter man is
said to have sprung. The orang-
outang is regarded as the last stage of
transformation before the appearance
of the human being, and therefore is,
according to the Darwinian theory,
Our lineal ancestor. 1t is asserted
that one of this monkey species, sur
passing the others in shape and saga
ciousness, relinquished the habit of
climbing trees, walking on all fours
and thus accustomed itself to walk
erect. In this manner it assumed the
human shape. From disuse its tail
grew shorter and in time disappeared
altogether it gave up the habit of
eating nuts and its features, as a con-
sequence, took a different form its
snout becoming smaller and its coun-
tenance more perpendicular. In the
process of development the grimaces
of the monkey turned into man S
pleasant smile and articulate Ian
guage proceeded from cries hitherto
inharmonious. Later on the refined
monkey, divested of all simian traces,
began to think and after successive
generations, the brain, on account of
increased intellectual operations, be-
came enlarged, and thus man gradu-
ally rose to his present perfection.
This, then, is the theory advanced by
Darwin the father of evolution, and
is as untenable as it is specious.
We shall now endeavor to show
the absurdity of this doctrine in its
various aspects. In rejecting God as
the creator of man, and accepting man
as the result of natural process, we are
forced to admit that the moneron
from which all forms of life originate,
exists from eternity or arose from
chance. The first is inconsistent, for
whatever is eternal does not admit of
mutation. That something should
arise and develop by chance is be-
lief that no sane man can hold every
sensible man knows in his heart that
nothing arises from haphazard, much
less a permanent order of organic
beings. Scientists have proven be-
yond doubt that that species of mon
era called the jelly fish, to which the
adherents of Darwinism attach so
much Importance, is wanting in the
essential elements that constitute or
ganic life; hence, the monera cannot
transmit to another being what it
does not posses itself. But were the
superior forms given life through
some unknown and explicable man
ner the difficulty of explaining the
process of development would be far
from being surmounted. Then the
struggle for life" would commence
which is absurd in its conclusion as
any theory ever proposed.
The struggle for existence means
nothing more or less than the ami
hilation of the inferior animals by the
superior it is cruel war of beast
against beast, and results in the su-
premacy of the stronger and the des-
truction of the weaker. We shall ex-
anime and see from a natural and su-
pernatural light whether the great
evolutionist is justified in his conclu-
sions from these premises. Let us
imagine a great number of the lower
animals engaged in perpetual war
fare with one another for existence.
What, in the ordinary course of ma
ture would be the result? The or
gans of defense would be strengthen
ed to an extraordinary degree and
their baser passions stimulated to the
detriment of the nobler. When ami
mails of the same genus are pitted
against one another in deadly combat
their jaws, teeth, claws, courage, and
activity or other natural defensive in
struments may develop, but they are
certainly not changed into another
genius. This conflict, therefore, in
stead of refining Mr.. Monkey, tends
to make him shaggy, strong and saw
age, and consequently to smother the
finer and more exalted qualities of his
nature.
To expect that the most beautiful
and most perfect species of animals
would result from such strife would
be the sherest nonsense. Again this