The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-04

which. futile in themselves be-
cause OF their obvious falsity. are
evidence OF our weakness when
We accept them.
We can be as mad for wisdom
as We 30 mad for folly. Only
after four years does there appear
10 be an abatement in the sudden
Nv developed. almost historical de-
Nouon 10 dancing. truly 10 be de-
scribed in the familiar word,
craze. Side by side with the dane
ing craze We have gone far-with
rush 10 extremes already in
sight-in the matter of eugenics.
Properly defined. eugenics means
nothing more than the improve
ment OF the race by careful selec-
ton OF mates in marriage. To
dsy-only three decades since its
exposition by Sir Francis Gallon
Its enthusiasts are partisans or
legislation which would put the
future production OF the human
race on the basis of the stock
farm; IN fact. the stock farm has
been frankly endorsed as afford
ing the ideal plan. Practically all
or the more advanced advocates
or eugenlcs forget that the great
80 AAAAAN. a. NflA as Nnf
bodies. have not been the issue
of ideal parents or even OF ideal
strains. but have come from stock
ordinarily regarded as negligible
IN any sense of race Improvement
Eugenics wisely applied-perhaps
In the distant future when its
true principals shall have become
clearly understood-may prove OF
some practical value. But can
not now overlook the truth that,
under the system of natural selec-
ton which has hitherto prevailed,
the race has steadily progressed
In physical excellence and IN
mental capacity in spite OF an
ancestry. only three generations
removed. that defied all the rules
OF health and even of morality as
set by our modern standards
Akin TO our tendency 10 overdo
eugenics is the recent bent-large-
~ on the part OF distinctly hyster-
ical women reformers-to class as
imbeciles all girls and women who.
AT any time, have stepped aside
from virtues path. That danger
Gus propaganda has already pro
crossed so far as 10 induce the
acceptance of habitual immortality
as prima facie evidence OF mlSntal
weakness. All history proves that
many of the most brilliant women
have manifested the most lax OF
morals. just as IL Is notorious that
a superabundant virility has fire.
quently characterized men who
were leaders in the worlds affairs.
The consequences of giving free
hand 10 these modern American
fanatics OF reform involve grave
injustice 10 the daughters OF the
poor who. helpless against mis-
guided authority, cannot invoke
the legal and social protective
agencies which are at the com
mand OF the well-to-do.
With the nation growing 10
enormous size and means OF com
munication so rapidly bringing
all into instant touch. we need
guard against our hysterical tend
ency now more than ever before
lest. al some time.-possibly not
far removed sudden wave OF
national emotion shall work IN
Calculable national harm. The
French. until this war regarded as
a human power magazine. seem
TO have learned we'll the lesson OF
self control and to be- displaying
the stolid steadiness previously
attributed 10 the English eXclu-
sively. We Americans. in the eyes
OF any one who will glance over
our varied. oftentimes quaint hys-
terias. are inclined to rival the
French temperament OF the past
II may be our climate: or IL may be
countless other contributing causes
that tend TO make US Historically
impetuous. II not mercurial Yet
II does lie within our own power
10 exercise the self control which
should characterize people so
prosperous. so powerful and with
80 little need or incentive to rush
into follies al home or aboard.