The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11
Death Rate Higher Than
Birth Rate in Old
Families.
Increase of Population
Due to Presence of
Immigrants.
Hegira to Cities Among
the Several Causes
of Decay.
tZHIE8
LrHoueH President Roosevelt

A THOUGH President Roosevelt's|
n utterances on the question OF
~ race suicide have only recently
directed the attention OF the pub
lie to the existence OF a grave danger,
thinking men have for years been con-
sldering the problem in this country and
their pessimistic views have beeh scot
fed at in a way that is entirely IN
warranted by the facts that exist.
A general reply is made by quoting
the census statistics yhich show a
greater birth rate than death rate.
But what is the result OF careful study
OF these very statistics? II viii be
found that among old American famil-
les. such as the JeffersOns. the Lees. the
Adams. end dozens OF the others that
have been prominently known since the
war for independence a highly nervous
" organized people the death rate Is
much greater than the birth rate. 1t IS
NOT theory but fact that We are de-
pending for the maintenance and IN
crease OF our population on the emf
grant families that have come 10 the
United States in the last few genera
tons.
There are many intelligent men who
dismiss the subject with contempt.
Their attitude toward the question is
based on the opinion that any discussion
OF il can be but IDLE speculation and a
juggling Of theories in themselves worth
less. The growth or death Of a race
they declare 20 be something beyond hui
man control. They recognize natural
laws and Ia the same breath refuse 10
consider the occasions that bring these
very laws into action. And yet what
DO We ma when q few indisputable
facts are laid side by side and their
logical connection analysed?
Necessity Of Work.
Throw the body OF man on the dis
secting table put the scalpel into him
and study him from the standpoint OF
anatomy and physiology. You find that
ne IS so constituted that he cannot lead
a healthy life and reproduce his species
unless he work. and work hard That is
10 say, HIS bod must be developed by
exercise and his nervous organization in
a normal condition. That is one fact
that cannot be disputed. Now take a
second.
Man is lazy by nature, working only
under comDulsiOn. When he Is strong
De viii live. as far as he is able TO
1--WE, on the labor and tho property OF
che weak In other words. he takes
advantage OF his superiority over his
weaker or less talented fellowmen 10
accumulate luxuries IN order that he
may lead a life OF idleness. Such a life
Is shown under the knife OF the dissector
20 be fatal 20 a vigorous provocative
power. What IS the inevitable conciu-
sion? Man labors TO accumulate wealth
ard lead a life OF ease. He labOrs 70
bring about q condition that will destroy
himself
Nowhere In history viii there be found
the record OF an old city family. IN
Sparta and other OF the old Greek cities
the inhabitants did not live city life as
We understand the word. They had their
1Ocks and their agriculture which kept
them In the open air and employed ia
healthful exercise during the day. AT
night they returned 20 the city for rest
and protection against laWlessuess. Mod
ern cities have ben a continual drain
upon the country for the maintenance OF
their population.
Hegira to Cities.
In this country young men OF ambition
are deserving the farms and coming 10
the stress or city life. This IS perfectly
natural IN such Il country. The city
beckons 10 them inaistenuy. IL holds
forth promises Of advancement I'm many
walks OF life that appeal 10 the magma
ton OF the young man and cause him a
regard with distaste the humble life OF
the agriculturist. lie expects 10 accu-
mulate wealth and be able 10 live IN
ease FOR the remainder OF his life. II
his ambition IS realized he acquires a
fortune which passes 10 his children and
enables them 20 lead a life that saps the
vitality OF the blood they inherited from
their real ancestor.