1 62 The Morality of Nature 



In the same class come all those incomplete lives of sub- 

 ject animals bred under control and predestined for domes- 

 tic work or for sacrifice as food. The flocks and herds are 

 not normal children of nature mistreated by man and de- 

 prived of their lives and birthrights; they are the abnormal 

 product of man's natural influence. They are indebted to 

 him for the few years of life and happiness which they 

 enjoy; and this state of indebtedness cannot be reversed 

 and become creditorship, upon the plea that they are granted 

 less than they might be capable of enjoying. This argument 

 is a statement of facts visible. The millions of beasts which 

 lead their placid lives in a civilized country would never 

 have been without man, and would cease to be if man dis- 

 appeared. The millions which will roam the fields twenty 

 years from now, are yet unborn ; and they will never be born, 

 unless they are to be protected and cared for by man, for 

 this limited life of subjection. 



Now this light upon the position, in nature's scheme of 

 compensation, of lives predestined to service, affords a bet- 

 ter understanding of much of human activity. While such 

 sacrifice is far below the highest, in an ideal sense, yet it is 

 useful in the human organization of co-operative society, as 

 is proven by its occurrence; and, when it does appear, it is 

 undoubtedly governed by the natural law that the life thus 

 devoted to the race, is to that degree the gift of the race, 

 just as truly as the life which transmits itself again to the 

 race. 



There are among the lives most valuable to the race many 

 which are thus so developed at the expense of the lineal 

 energy. Indeed the two conditions go hand in hand. In the 



