22 CHARLES B. DAVENPORT 



hybrids between blacks and whites in Jamaica show an excess of persons 

 over either parental stock who are incapable of tackling even slightly 

 difficult mental tests. Despite these facts there are even geneticists who 

 doubt if wide crosses result in disharmonies. 



It would seem as if mankind was entitled to know the facts as to human 

 crosses. The practical problem is not one of inferiority or superiority of 

 races, but primarily of racial differences. We must all rejoice that Eugen 

 Fischer is entering with enthusiasm into the problem of human race crossing 

 over the world. 



The other aspect of immigration is that of a clash of instincts in groups 

 with unlike temperaments and mores. For a highly individual people the 

 mores and laws of a population with strong social instincts may be intolera- 

 ble. A mixture of heterogenous peoples thrown into intimate contact, is 

 apt to be a more or less turbulent people. This is a biological principle 

 that has strong sociological bearings. 



While there are apparent dangers in the free mixture of very dissimilar 

 races, we have reason to look for certain advantageous consequences of 

 out-breeding, providing the breeds be not too extreme. Thus the mixture 

 of north Europeans in the United States seems to have produced many 

 especially virile persons of which the Theodore Roosevelt family is a bril- 

 liant example. It is probable that the principle of heterosis is effective in 

 man also. On these matters we look to the future for a clearer light. 

 Meanwhile any people is justified in going slow in bringing together into 

 its land very diverse races of mankind. If future research supports present 

 suspicions as to dangers, the mixtures can not be unscrambled. If the 

 suspicions of danger prove to be unfounded, then it will not be too late to 

 throw the doors open to free intermigration of the most diverse peoples. 

 The present safe course is to pursue the ideal of race homogeneity. 



Finally, we may inquire: Can we by eugenical studies point the way to 

 produce the superman and the superstate? Progress will come slowly. 

 Man is a poor subject for experimental study; still worse to get to apply to 

 himself established principles. But I think we are justified in having faith 

 that the future will bring precise knowledge in human biology, and educa- 

 tion will establish the desired mores. 



The past two decades have seen the new eugenics rise from a mire of 

 ridicule to the solid foundation of a recognised important social factor. 

 It is probable that in the next two decades it will rise still further in public 

 esteem and become regarded as the most important influence in human 

 advancement. For, man is an animal, and permanent racial progress in 

 eugenics, must be based on the laws of biology. 



