Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-11-20
For the Chi1dren's Sake

already illustrious founder "A study of
those agencies under social control which
may improve or impair the racial quail
ties of future generations. either physi-
cally or mentally" we find not only the
study OF heredity, but at the same time
a study OF all of those things and condi-
tons which go to make up the environ
ment, including the physical and mental
conditions of the parents when a child
is conceived.
In this definition, for the first time,
heredty and environment. nature and
nurture. eugelies and euthenics are fused
into a single, causal unit. No longer need
we ask which is the more important
heredity or environment-for we see that
they are one. Though the life be more
than meat. and the body than raiment, t"
yet neither can be postulated without
the other.
Produce great men and all else will
follow Is true; unless the ALI else" Is
somewhat already there, neither great
men nor anything else can follow H. Is
seen that the environment or today is
the heredlty of tomorrow. and the hered-
ty of yesterday the environment OF to-
day.
Eugenics as the science of the Inn
provement OF the human race through
proper breeding" holds within itself every
other science in solution. Whether we
approach the subject through biology,
physiology or pathology. through philos-
ophy, ethics or religion. these are bat
approaches, and their final value TO the
human race will be determined by their
several contributions to this all-important
norm-the how" of a higher, finer and
more perfect race of men and women.
A. the international Eugenic congress
held at the London university in 1912,
the president of that congress, Leonard
Darwin, son of the great Charles, said
In his opening address that that nation
which first successfully deals with this
question viii not only easily lead In all
International competition. but will make
for itself a place of honor In the history
OF the world "
At that time he may have had In mind
his own England; but, TO those who knew
what was going on this side of the sea. 1t
was evident then, and IL is now, that il
is America-that great mother with the
children Of all the nations at its breast
that leads and must continue to lead in
the solution Of these difficult and other
wise insolublc problems that have vexed
society from its beginnings Indeed. It il
only natural to expect America to ac-
complish this stupondous task.
That this must be done in a careful
spirit, clearing the way with scientific
scrutiny and experimentation. is clear
First, in all the kingdoms below man,
in order that he may have a safe onI
lasting foundation for his race building
And when the realm Of the human
man himself-is to be considered, when
] the right OF men and women to marry
and bear children be examined and chal-
lenged, then, indeed. is a more careful
even reverent. spirit 10 be invoked. II
is then that We begin to glimpse that
the subject relates itself not only to ply.
J steal and mental fitness. but to the ethica
and spiritual concepts of parenthood and
human kind.
! Then, and not till then, may we dis
/ cover that eugenics is worthy Of becom.
| ing the religion of life itself