240 



UKV. S. B. MCCORMICK^ D.D.^ ON 



approach to it is the Hollander in New York. The next is 

 doubtless in Pennsylvania in the intermingling by marriage of 

 the German and the Scotch-Irishman, so-called. Yet whole 

 communities of peoples in tbat State talk nothing but a German 

 patois known as Pennsylvania Dutch. Physique, pigmentation, 

 hair, colour of eyes are less important than the vitality which 

 makes possible mental vigor. In early biologic ages the 

 smaller, nimbler animals with more active brain survived ; the 

 slow-witted giant perished. The German army is not less 

 efficient because it may not have a regiment like .Frederick the 

 Great's, composed of men seven feet tall. The cast of the 

 extinct diplodocus is in the British Museum. Perhaps we may 

 be within the limits of ascertained fact if we say that the very 

 first result of mixture of blood strains is variation — the 

 production of new groups of characters, the unlinking of original 

 groups. Biologically this should result in a certain psychology 

 — for a time at least — men of letters, inventors, moralists, 

 social and religious leaders. Indeed, this has been measurably 

 true already. 



It must be remembered that no race in modern times is 

 biologically homogeneous. So wide is the variation of com- 

 ponents within each race that if we should plot graphically the 

 variation of any trait in different nations, the curves would 

 largely overlap. Eliminating the Oriental, the Negro, and the 

 Indian — as we have agreed to do — and applying the fruit of 

 recently ascertained biological study, we may look with entire 

 complacency upon complete fusion of the several branches of the 

 Aryan and Semitic stocks with almost certain expectancy that 

 the final result will be a superior blend. The modern eugenic 

 movement must issue in practical methods of reducing the 

 production of the unfit and increasing that of the superior 

 blood. An improved race will depend far less upon an 

 adventitious fusion than upon intelligent choice. The responsi- 

 bility for a better physical man rests upon the will of men 

 themselves. If they want it, it can be produced. Superior 

 mating and families of adequate size will do it. So much is 

 true of eugenics. Studies into inherited trails are becoming 

 more intelligent and more scientific. The results will more 

 and more find application to actual conditions. Meanwhile, 

 the forces going on in America must result in a more complete 

 union of the Saxon and the Latin, the Celt and the Slav. New 

 knowledge will develop safeguards and relieve Irom all 

 apprehension. We may safely assume the substantial correct- 

 ness of Burbank's prediction that the United States has the 



