Deming graphic., 1921-05-17
W. J. B. AND DARWIN


William ]. Bryan is again in the
limelight on account of an attack ON
the Darwin theory OF evolution. Bry.
an never was right about anything.
hut IL is safe bet that his ehullitions
concerning Darwmism will please ev-
cry mOssback i'm the country. Blessed
with wonderful gift OF verbal eX-
preston, Mr.. Bryan has never taken
the trouble to prove his theories be-
fore inflicting them ON the American
people: he hopes Ia get his stuff over
hy clever sophistry for which he l.
noted. He doesn't want the Darwin
theory taught in the public schools.
As matter Of fact. IL is not likely
that the philosophy OF life brought in
to question is taught in any public
school and for obvious rea sons the av-
erarge high school student could gain
hut a hazy conception OF the Darwin
philosophy as Il Is conceived today.
Darwin Is well remembered for his
courage to say something about the
origin Of man that many scholars
for many ages have known, at least IN
part. hut were too timid To declare:
Darwin Is hated accordingly.
q yes. man was created In all per
{ ton and turned loose In a famous
r,len. which was supposed To have
d IN located over In Mcsopotamla near
tl' confluence OF the twin rivers
cient story. Perfect as man then
WIS he made a terrible mistake which
l. blamed upon his mate. woman and
vls thrown out of paradise on his
I, r. That was not very auspicious
J ginning. This we were taught in
: nday School. which was all very
I oper for children. The story was
ritten for race In its childhood.
Tut Ia feed this junk as literal and
;, ientific facts Ia adults OF moderate
tellect has been the work " near
ientists, who learned their science I'm
theological seminaries, ever since. To
hlld any different views than Is eN-
founded by these learned gentlemen
was formerly punished by boiling in
oil now. however. it carries M great
or punishment than oStrncism from
the Sanctum sanctorium NJ those who
profess to esoteric mysteries hOcus
y cus.
Darwin was not the first scholar tO
Snspect that there was something un-
reasonable about the orthodox inter
pretatiOn Of the story Of creation
hut he was really the first to have
made the careful investigations that
must form the hasiS ~ every worthy
demonstration. Science has no place
for superstitious beliefs. Darwin's
early Investigations did not concern
the origin OF man. but the origin of
SPECIES. which really amounted 10 the
same thing a. he saw in the end. So
plinstaking and thorough was his
work that Darwin was permitted 10
eNperess the first reasonable theory
of the origin NJ man. He knew that
all life had assembled from early and
simple forms to later. higher and more
complex forms: he never did more
than speculate on the origin Of life and
II is quite likely that he was led far
astray in a matter that has ~ far de-
fled scientific investigation. With
the courage Of one who has done his
work diligently and we'll Darwin dis
counted the theolOgins' doctrine of the
origin Of man by disTassionatc
showing Of evidence In the plant and
animal worlds that proved bv infer
rncc that all life must have had a
common origin In the one Great Cause.
lie could see no good reason for eN-
empting the organic being, man. from
the operation Of natural and divine
law. nor any purpose in believing
that man had gained the hegemony
~ the creation through miraculous In
tervention: he preferred to believe
that man had dezed the headship
through tNr exercise Of expanding
powers rewarded with the gift Of
soul. Darwin simply took the hocus
pocus out Of the story Of creation and
thereby earned the undying hatred OF
the fellows who had been telling the
marvellous tale for living.
II is easy for churchmen to call
Darwin liar. because not one per
son in ten thousand has read Darwin
many Of those misguided have 10 de
pend on what other say Darwin said.