New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-02
Literary yNeta,s and Criticism.

evolution; physical and chemical forces may
completely transform mans outward appear
ance' the microscopic structure of his finest It's
sues and even his intelligence and temperament;
but he fails to observe that inasmuch as the
bones and tissues directly influence the nervous
system. II follows that the size and shape Of the
skull and vertebra have something to do with
intellectual differences If earlier scientists have
exaggerated the influence Of anatomical pecu-
larities upon mental ones NJ F1not falsely re-
duces II 10 zero. While anthropoIogist to-day
believes that mans whole nature may be read
from his skull and facial angle, all agree that
some connection. even though often a slight one
exists between all human characteristics NJ
flnot unwittngly admits this in several inter-
esting Illustrations of the wide reaching effects
or varying some one slight popularity; but he is
untrue to his own contentious
In seeking 10 show that mixed races are the
best the author perpetrates another logical
blunder when he declares that all crosses are
good. Vainly endeavoring TO confirm this hasty
generalization. he even claims that mulattos
are both physically and mentally a superior
race, being apparently degraded only because
Of a foolish race prejudice against them. APP
parently NJ. Finot has never heard OF the
mulatto's extreme susceptibility to tubercular
and other diseases: does he regard this
negligible weakness? Again by maintaining
that variation in human popularity pro-
duces variations in others, the writer struggles
to conclude that by perfecting one trait all
others are somewhat improved. He thus seems
10 ignore altogether the long established fact
that, in botany, zoology. and even human ath-
letics, high development of one part or trait can
be attained only at the expense OF others Like
wise, in crossing human races. there is often
grave danger OF deterioration. owing to the ex-
! aggeration OF certain peculiarites Indeed
nearly all the dangers Of inbreeding present
in cross-breeding.
In expoundlng the Illusion Of racial purity"
NJ. F1not says nothing new but he brings out
ms points with surprising clarity and force.
Everybody will doubtless admit that there is no
important race on earth to-day which is not the
product of much intermingling And most OF
US VIII doubtless accept the modern biologists
definition OF race or species as the aggregate
OF individuals possessing a certain more or less
arbitrarily chosen number OF characteristics"
1t is easy 10 admit, also. that all these charac-
teristcs are mOdifiable in the course Of genera
IONS. But how consistently may we infer from
all this. as NJ. Fnot does. that race prejudice
is an intellectual error due 10 false ideas about
the stability and spirit of races and that we
should therefore admit all men to be equal in
reality and unequal only by accident Of en-
vironment and inherited customs? Much as
one may sympathize with NJ. Ffnot's charitable
much more in race prejudice than he sees In It.
The trouble is that the entertaining French
man is always talking about theories Of racial
difference and IS always silent on the subject Of
the nature Of the real. everyday race prejudice
which is TO blame for massacres. lynchings and
persecution. The ordinary white man who
hates the niggers' does not worry over the
inmutabity Of African characteristics: even If
ne knew that the grandchildren of the men no
scorns might be made his intellectual equals he
would still feel perfectly justified in dsliking
their untransformed progenitors. Temper as he
may his instructive feelings with the reflection
that men Of despised are not 10 blame for
themselves, he must still recognize that they
do things which conflict fundamentally with his
own ideas. This conflict is often one which no
amount OF philosophizing and fraternaiism can
terminate, for II sometimes turns upon the most
fundamental ideas OF morality and economic
rights NJ. Finot lapses into the same intellect
ualism from which many extreme fraternalsts
and universal peace preachers suffer Neverthe-
less. his book is thoroughly readable by OF
the many facts II cites about races and men.
But the reader must beware OF the easygoing
logic with winch the author has combined his