Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-20
stupendOus Question of Race
Culture.


Culture.
HARLAN. To-, Marcn 1S.-To the Editor
OF The Bee As the latter part of the
nineteenth century saw the dawn OF a
new period in the history of human in
dustry and mode OF living. brought about
by the rapidity with which most wonder
full and revolutionizing inventions and
scientific discoveries have been made ana
applied. so the beginning OF the twentieth
century has unquestionably marked the
dawn Of a new period In the development
Of man himself. brought forth by the
tremendous influences and terrific powers
which are so stealthily creeping into
our midst as to be almost wholly unob-
served and vet holding the destiny of
the human race within a grasp SO domi-
nant and unrelenting that the future is
awful to contemplate and possible results
are almost unthirskable. And, yet, these
influences are as sure to sweep the earth
within the next few generations as to-
morrow's sun is sure 10 rise and set
II is becoming more and more apparent
to every thinking man. that the human
race is even now entering a period of
rapid mental alteration of the most vital
and far-reaching character. and that new
and all-important forces are joining
hands with older ones in one tremendous
effort to remodel man. changing his very
nature and mental attributes. While
some of these forces are working for
our good. many are working for evil, and
the stupendous question is; Can we, and
VIII we. harness the good influences to
our own best use and our own great
good. and subdue the evil ones before
they gain the mastery? This question
must be answered within the next few
generations, and. above all other con-
siderations before humanity today, this
is. beyond the shadow OF doubt, the stu
pendous question.
Eugenics. is a term derived from a
Greek word meaning we'll born. In its
modern application. It is the name OF the
science which deals with the influences
which improve, the Unborn qualities of
race and encourage action In the direc-
tion OF perpetuating a higher racial
standard. The founder of the science,
may be said to be Sir Francis Galton.
and the aim OF the science. as laid down
by Galton. is to bring as many influ-
ences as can reasonably be employed,
to cause the useful classes in the COM
munlty to contribute more than their
proportion to the next generation and to
discourage the undesirable classes from
contributing their full share.
The practical application OF the science
OF eugenics Is dependant upon a thor
ough knowledge OF heredity and an in
telligent selection of the better hereditary
traits and rejection OF those least de-
sirable In encouraging or disoouraging
4 ufr 1rtt
question Is to be answered In way that
viii satisfy the best hopes and highest
ambitions OF the nobler classes OF man
kind, It will be answered by this new
and wonderful science which has taken
root for the first time in favorable soil
in the first few years OF this century.
Among the foreshadowings OF this new
period In mans development. l would
mention our now universal acceptance
OF the doctrine OF evolution. our recogni-
tion Of hereditary mental traits. and our
growing consciousness OF a sacred duty
to posterity. These, more than anything
else. perhaps. have been the chief factors
In developing the science OF eugenies
upon which depends the salvation OF the
generations 20 come.
It is no longer necessary to point out
all the mass of rudimentary organs cling
ing to the human structure. TO convince
ones readers that man has evolved from
lower forms OF life. The unbeliever is
now the rare exception among the think
ers. And Il Is no longer necessary 20
show how nature produced the giraffe's
long neck by continued and periodic
slaughter Of those which could not reach
into the higher foliage I'm times OF drouth.
In order TO convince en- intelligent people
that the lower animals. at least. have
evolved from remarkably different forms.
The very farmer Is now bringing about
these changes among his farm stock TO
suit himself. and. through practical ex-
perience. knows more about hereditary
traits than even the philosophers knew
few decades ago. II Is the general
acceptance OF these truths which has
made possible the great forward move
ment In eugenics during the last few
years.
This movement Is worthy ot the best
thought and closest attention OF every