The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-04

since the earliest periods OF geoioSlc
history there have been many changes
in temperature and elevation of the
earth's surface, and these changes
have always been accompanied by
change in the fora and fauna of the
time. Those individuals Of specie
whose peculiar characteristics enabled
them to survive climatic or other
changes. transmitted those character
istics to their progeny, those in their
turn to others, and in the course OF
time these peculiaritles became per-
manent.
Those individuals who lacked such
chara cteristics were, therefore. elimi-
mated by nature. The various forms
and functions of living organism as
they now exist are the result of thiS
process of the survival of the fttcst
nor has it's operation ceased at the
present time. The long leaf pine of
the lowlands is changed by altitude TO
the short leaf fir. The broad leafed
flora of the moist tropics becomes the
thorny cactus of arid regions. The
snow white fur of Arctic animals, and
the almost invisible coloring Of the
partridge, have been slowly produced
by nature each generation, whose
coloring enabled it to escape it's enc-
mics transmitted that feature to it.
offspring so that in the course of gen.
erations these characteristics become
permanent, innumerable instances o.
the kind abound.
The races OF mankind are not less
affected. The aboriginal savage of
Europe, who contended with the cold
and the cave bear for existence, lived
only by his industry. and wit-those
who possessed ii in greatest degree
were the longest lived. and had the
best opportunity Of transmitting these
virtues. Those who possessed them
in lesser degree succumbed to
the rigors of savage life before ma
turity and had no opportunity for
pcrpetuating their defects. AS time
went on the struggle for existence still
sharpened their wits until in after
years the white race attained the
highest plane of intellectual vigor the
world has ever known.
The original inhabitant of Africa OF
the other hand living in a climate that
required no clothing and but littl,
shelter. furnished by nature with suf-
f1cient food without exertion had ne
incentive for intellectual effort, md
consequently on that continent today
there arc as many miles of empty
heads as there were in the days OF
Ham. The knowledge of woodcraft
possessed by the North American In
dians, the cruelty of the Malay, the
ingenuity of the Jap, are racial fea-
lures that are examples of the in.
huence OF hcrcdity.
Not only is the physical features of
animals modified by heredity, but Their
mental characteristics as well. The
sagacity and affection Of the dog, tn
home-seeking ability of the pigeon.
the courage of the domestic fowl, are
not possessed to the same degree By
all varieties. They are best developed
only in those individuals that have
been carefully bred for many gener-
ations. When every farmer knows
that the offspring of vicious stallion
and kicking mare will never make'a
reliable colt. and the sportsman that
the pup of bull dog cannot be taught
to point birds. 1t seems strange to ex-
pect the scion of a line of thieves and
prostitutes to develop into an honest
gentleman. No effort has ever been
made so far as know, to breed the
human animal to an ideal type, nor
has any extensive records been kept
of the pedigree of criminals but the
following facts are matters of record:
Zola in his Rougon- -Magnant series
has investigated the lives and charac-
ll1s..1ll.1.sans.sx.ar.ss-u.