The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-05
Birth Control ana Race
Suicide

(Prof. Robert j. sprague. Massachusetts Arr,cul.
tural College in Tho Journal Of Hercdty)
For one great section Of the population we need
and for the other birth. release Mass
achusetts is the only state that has for many dec
Iades taken birth statistics q basis Of nativity
and these show that the birth Of her foreign
born population is about three times the birth.
OF her native mostly Anglo. Saxon people the birth
rate being fourteen per thousand and the DEATH
rate eighteen per thousand in the same native
group. There are many reasons to believe that
practically the situation holds In other states
| among the people Of the same class Merely to
sustain the population and not to i8crease It, every
married woman capable Of bearing children must.
as an average bring to maturity ut beast three chill
dren OF the graduates OF our women's colleges
only one half ever marry and the average number
of children per graduate is less than one
Birth-eontrol among the poor is needed for them
selves but birth release among TIN upper classes
is greater necessity. both for the own welfare
and the salvation of the nation. Excessive birth.
control by those well able have fasies sufficient
for the nations growth weaken. The nation at
every point necessitatcs the importation Of indi-
gesbe foreign elements, good people In themselves
but poorly adapted to American hfe weakens
patriotism. and brings about mixture Of races
which makes confusion Of morals. deArth Of art and
literature. and conflicts between caasses
Birth-eontrol among the poor is 4 problem but
suicide among the middle classes Is a racial
menace which threatens by its nflueace to defeat
the highest ideals Of the nation essssssI~a.
There ought to be reasonable birth>control by all
classes based upon high ideals for the nation and
family responsibility for offspring and refinement
of soul and character of the parents. !.
Gradually sman has been reducing his life from
world of chance to of human control and order
Finally his children will be the result OF foresight
plans ideals and self control. :. Birth control
does not necessarily mean smaller families but it
does mean better families brought forth and de-
veloped according to the right minglng Of reason
and love- American needs at present higher
quality of population more than she needs a greater
quantity; she needs more normal families of the
successful classes, not larger families of the un-
successful The number of children reared into de-
cent citizenship, not the number born in poverty
is what makes the American family happy and the
nation strong.
If the insufficient birth rate of the upper classes
were to continue and we were obliged to get our
increase in numbers either from the Overlooking
poverty stricken families Of foreign countries or
from the poor classes of our own population
should say from the point OF view Of national
fare. let the increase come from our own people
reared under our own flag. language and customs
even though in poverty. The adoption Of birth
control by poor families to the extent that 1t is
practiced by the economically higher classes will
condemn this continent forever to be not only the
mixing-bow of the world but the scrap heap of the
races. These people may be themselves as good as
any of u.s. but forever mixed together from the ends
OF the world. they can not make nation. Nations
| composed of mixed races are weak in most Of the
things that make for national strength and prog
ress. Lacking the unity of traditions. idealism and
national spirit they liable to have excessive in
| dviduasm and turn to materialistic goals
If In America we to develop national unity.
great American art and literature full realization
of American genius for all classes and races already
with us. and respectable position Of influence in
| the worlds progress and affairs must have a
brth-ra among all classes sufficient to maintain,
increase and unity the people of the United States
| into one great social and national body
This nation must set up goal of the normal
| American family and racial independence 1t must
| idealizc the family instead of the individual and
work for its success by all forms Of legal. social
and economic readjustments that arc necessary for
| the accomplishment Of these ends.
If ever to ripen and perfect our ciyiliza-
ton we must not depend upon the paupcrized viii
lagos Of Europe the deserts of ASIA and the
junglcs Of Africa for our population. We must de-
termine to rear our own population from our own
best stock, and so organize and utilize ts resources
of the country that all classes may bring their fam
lilies up to the high standards that possible to u.s.
| America was founded on great principles which
the world needs to haze preserved. but without a
sufficient birth -ratc the old population will pass
away and her mission to the world will not be
fulfilled.
IN MEMORY.