The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
Author, Opposing Entire
Eugenic Plan of Mar.
rage, Thinks Scien.
fists Have Ignored
Only Legitimate Rea-
son for Wedlock -
Compares Ideal Mar
rage" of Eugenists to
Horse Breeding
~ REX BEACH,

TRAIL" Ar.
- ACH year in the great cities of
r. the country horse shows. dog
- shows. cat shows and shows Of
various "live stock" are held;
some are fashionable. others are not
These appeal to the devotees Of the per-
feet horse, the perfect tabby. or to pro-
f.ssional Qaisers OF cattle and farmers
interested In the blue blooded Jersey
cow. II YOU can. imagine another sort
II exhibit II might be held annually,
say in Madison Square Garden. New
York city.
Beneath the flying Diana on the
tower picture a great electric sign:
National Human Stock Show: Highest
Types Of Physical Perfection. Blue Rib
bons To Winners. See the Candidates
for Eugene Marriages." Within. in
rallied of enclosures, we might behold
men, herculean Of size. strutting about,
gracefully posturing or manipulating
dumbbells: women. handsome. ANA
zonian. reclining on couches a la Alma
Tadema or seeking to attain the
crowds pass by. pausing to admire.
making comments. critically examining
the points" Of the exhibits The
judges--a grim faced. serious minded
hoard Of eugenic doctors-occupy q
stand. do not know just what the
social status OF such a show will be
whether it will be as fashionable a. the
horse show or in the class Of a Jersey
cow or sheep exhibit. Conjure this show
before you. I am not responsible for
the suggestion. 1t has come from the
eugenists.
If the suggestion for any human stock
show is abhorrent and distasteful the
eugenic plan for marriage between men
and women on a basis Of physical per-
lection is more so. A great deal has
been written and said Of late concerning
the eugenic creed. 1t Is being promul-
gated by a national organization. has
the support Of men Of science whose
cminence lends dignity and weight to
the propaganda, and Ii without question
influencing the public mind. The plan OF
the eugenists appeals to the pseudo
scientific, to the sentimental type OF
"reformer" and highbrow. and that
large class OF human beings who. being
somewhat unbalanced, 90 In HISTORICALLY
for fads
The extreme absurdity Of many eu-
genie principles was demonstrated re.
Gently at the national convention Tor
race betterment, at which a physician
made the suggestion that annual SHOWS
he held Of perfect types OF human beings
with prizes or blue ribbons to he given
10 the winners. That the eugenic prop
aganda has not been without ehect has
been shown by the passage OF law
n Wisconsin making q physical exam
nation OF both parties necessary to Sc
cure a license to wed and the presenta-
ION Of proposed bill along similar
ines to the Legislature OF Massachu'
setts.
While I believe In the attainment OF
physical we'll being and the improve
ment OF the race I cannot but oppose
the entire eugenic plan Of marriage
do not believe that II will result
In an Improvement Of the race. out
rather in degeneration. 1t cannot but
yulgarize and make ignOble the mar
Rage relation. Those who have consid-
cred the plan OF the eugenists have prop
ably done so only superhcially. ] be.
,.eye the public should be enlightened
concerning the basic fallacy OF the
movement it's menace and absurdity.
The eugenists contend their purpose
Is 70 bring into the world perfect chill
lren and thus improve the race. To
accomplish this they would make mar
r'1gc contingent upon physical perfec-
ION. What does this mean? They ig-
more the supreme attraction OF love,
'h" only legitimate basis for marriage.
They place the highest relation OF hu-
man life in class with horse breeding.
~ what should be primarily union OF
minds, Of sympathies and spiritual In
'"r'sts they make legal union OF
bodies Those who advocate these prin-
'.ples speak OF course OF mental and
moral perfection as being desirable with
physical perfection. The whole propa-
gtnla. however, reveals that the prime
Qualification for their ideal marriage"
Is physical.
without love the marriage OF two
people, however perfect physically and
mentally, is revolving to our highest
deals.
Recently we have witnessed a singular
example Of the comic extremes to which
sab faddsts will go. Announcing that
.'y desire to experiment In the bring
Ing Of a perfect child into the world
board Of eminent medical men. through
prominent medical magazine. has Of
fcred prizes In contest for a eugenic
marriage. Candidates OF both sexes
have been invited from all parts Of the
country They are to submit themselves
to physical tests and the man and woman
= feanA mast near the IDEAL Of physical
kDDG1nn1&0rs - - - mn0h n 70 re-.