Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 53, 12 January 1914 — Page 4

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN -TELEGRAM, MONDAY, JAN. 12, 1914

The Richmond Palladium

AND 8UN-TELEQRAM.

Published Every Evening Except Sunday, by Palladium Printing Co. Masonic Building. Ninth and North A Streets. R. G. Leeds, Editor. E. H. Harris, Mgr.

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Is Darwinism Dead? The recent death of Alfred Russel Wallace,

who was a co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest with Darwin, has opened the doors to another world-wide j discussion of the merits and demerits of Darwinism. Magazines and papers have given thej

matter so much space that one is led to feel that the number of those interested in the serious and really important matters are on the increase; it also has led us to unburden ourselves on the subject ; with which unburdenment we trust our unscientifically inclined readers will be indulgent. Until the Fifteenth century it was supposed the stars were moved by angelic beings. The heavens were the abode of a multitude of those beings who acted in an unforseeable and arbitrary fashion. When a star might swing into existence, when it might burn into nothingness, were inexplicable mysteries. And every comet and other celestial "portent" was heralded by ignorant and learned alike as the manifestation of supernatural activity. Many true thinkers seemed to grasp in an uncertain way some glimmering of the idea of natural law, but none were able to make any headway in that direction. But along came in the last part of the Fifteenth century the Polish monk Copernicus and crystallized much of this suspended and vague fore-seeing into the crystals of the true beginnings of a science of astronomy. He was unable to discover the law that rules the heavens (that was left for Newton) but he proved that law reigns in the heavens. In spite of theological opposition, this conviction that inorganic nature is under a reign of law gained ground until finally three great sciences, physics, chemistry and astronomy, were founded

thereon. But even after accepting the Newtonian law of gravitation the very boldest refused to carry the reign of law into the sphere of living plants and animals. Here the old fairies and angels still held sway; here was still the reign of the supernatural. What horses and dogs were they had always been and what they had always been had been determined by an act of special creation at a certain fixed hour in the remote past. And what was thought true of horses and dogs was held equally true of plants and birds and men and women. All species had been miraculously created at a fixed and limited time. Just as geniuses had groped vaguely for some conception of a reign of law among the stars so did they now feel blindly after a reign of law in the spheres of life. Goethe guessed at it; Erasmus Darwin skirted the great discovery; and many others hazarded guesses, some superficial and some profound. At this juncture appeared Charles Darwin. By heredity and by inclination a naturalist he turned his attentions to biology. Unlike his predecessors he was not content to tabulate and classify; he wanted to understand methods and his mind refused to accept the current explanations of a sudden and miraculous creation. After twenty years of reflection and research he finally reached the conclusion that the causes of the various forms, varieties and species of living things were as natural and as discoverable as the causes of star birth and star death. He proclaimed the reign of law in the worlds of life. It is this which is his greatest achievement. And it is nothing but the acknowledgement of this reign of natural law that makes the evolutionist. But having finally settled on the fact of evolution Darwin next turned to the question: If there is evolution what are the methods by which it is carried on? At this problem he worked for many years with little success. At last, in October, 1838 he chanced on "The Essay on Population," by that pious and loveable Church of England clergymen, Malthus. This essay started Herbert Spencer to thinking; it started Alfred Russel Wallace toward his great discovery. It dropped the seed into Darwin's mind which ultimated in his now famous doctrine of the survival of the fittest. If the moss that grows in pond bottoms were permitted to propagate unchecked it would fill every stream and lake in the world in a few years. If insects were left unhindered in their amazing fertility they would cloud the heavens in five years. If rabbits could go on breeding in geometric ratio and hawks and guns were not, the planet would soon be transformed into a rabbit warren. If salmon could spawn and breed at their own sweet will, their rivers would become in time a mass of fish. But the fecund species that have a tendency to breed to such enormous numbers are held in hand by certain opposing forces such as climate, lack of food, and foes. It is therefore inevitable that of the millions bred, only a few survive. What is it that determines which shall survive ? Darwin said that those survive which chance to be best adapted to the conditions with which they are compelled to cope. The rabbit that runs the

fastest will escape the most enemies. The salmon that swims the fastest and has the biggest gullet will probably hold his own. The insect that hits on the best protective devices will stand the strain. According to Darwin it is this never ending struggle against the enemies of life that weeds out the living creatures and determines which shall retain possession of the gift of life. And what is true of the individuals is true of the species. Those that chance to be best endowed to make the fight will remain in the field. The fittest will survive. The companion doctrine to this, dove-tailing into it, is that of natural selection. Darwin was impressed with the way in which a stock breeder may select from among his animals those characterized by the marks he desires to perpetuate and is thus able to create, so to speak, a variety

of animal best suited to his needs. After a deal of research Darwin found that

this same kind of selection was always going on 8mong wild animals and plants. The young of every creature are born with peculiarities a little different from their parents. Those that happen to inherit a peculiarity favorable to the struggle for existence are therefore selected, as it .were, by Nature to remain in existence. These two theories, for the most part, constitute "Darwinism," in the narrower sense of that term. Darwin himself did not believe he had done more than make a mere beginning at explaining species. He wrote to Wallace : "My work will not fix or settle anything." But many over enthusiastic disciples have gone farther than the master and held that these two theories are sufficient to account for everything. While living scientists still hold that these two theories are true they have pointed out that other theories must also be sought because these do not cover all the ground. Darwinism is true, but it is not all the truth. Darwin, himself, was one of the noblest characters of history. As Professor William E. Ritter said, "He gave us one of the noblest examples of a life devoted to the search for truth that the modern world has seen," while another very discriminating and unenthusiastic evolutionist writes: "Read the encyclopedias of biography from A to Z and you will find portrayed there no warmer hearted, more genuine, generous souled, open minded man than was Charles Darwin." In the sense that it is taken to explain the

whole process of evolution, Darwinism is as dead as many hold, but in the sense that he was the first to reveal the fact of evolution and in the sense that his hypotheses are still valid as far as they go, Darwinism is as alive today as ever and always will be.

FORUMOFTHE PEOPLE Articles Contributed Jor This Column Must Not Ee in Excess of 400 Words. The Identity of All Contributors Must Be Known to the Editor. Articles Will Be Printed in the Order Received.

Editor of Palladium: Dear Sir: I have read with a great deal of interest the controversy going on In Richmond at present between the revivalists and the theatrical interests. Being a frequent visitor in your city, and quite well acquainted wits its people and conditions, I am surprised that the people do not rise up in arms and show their disap

proval. I have read the account of the Rev. Kersworthy's Sunday sermon, and if I were a resident of your city, I should take it as a personal insult to my judgment and powers of discernment, as one of the people. You have good schools and the atmosphere of your town is one of refinement and progress, and I have always wondered whether this was due to the Quaker influence. Imagine my surprise at reading the very narrow-minded sermon of this minister who is a representative of the Friends clergy. He starts off by saying that he has never been inside of a theatre, but considers them the exponents of evil. Is he a judge? How could a physician diagnose a case which he had never seen? More reforms have been brought about by conditions that have been shown on the stage than all the sermons ever delievered. Rev. Kenworthy cites such people as Mrs. Thaw, Nat Goodwin, etc., as represents ve of the actors' class, but overlooks all the good ones who far outnumber the others. How would this minister like to be classed with the Rev. Jere Knods Cook and several other such ministers who have committed violations of the law? And does he think that after a day of hard work the laboring man has no claim to a few hours of amusement, the one thing that makes his life of toil bearable? The world is too full of po-called m-

i formers, nowadays. Rev. Kenworthy

is clearly fifty years behind the times, lie has not progressed with the world, and is not alive to the needs

j of the people of today. He is clearly

out for the coin, and shows a jealousy of any enterprise that may keep a few dollars out of his coffers. He is one of those men who take away the vitals of life, without giving anything better to take their place. Anyone can do that. He probably hasn't any time to visit the people, to teach mothers and fathers that the reform of the world depends on them; that it cannot be accomplished in this generation, but thatc hildren must be taught from little up taughts morals and modesty, moderation and to live absolutely within tneir earnings honestly gotten. This is the only way the world can bo

Improved. All other reforms are on the surface. Let some of these canting ministers come out of their Rip Van Winkle slumbers, and awaken to the present conditions, by reading the report of the vice commission of New York, of which Mr. Rockefeller, Jr., is the chairman. They would then realize that the theatre is the only way to get those conditions before the people and stamp out the evils which the ministers have not been able to suppress. J. D. SMITH, Cincinnati, O.

A SILVERMEETING Ladies of Methodist Church Gather Together.

GRKEN'FORK, Jan. 12. The silver

opening of the M. E. church was held at the home of Mrs. George Nicholson, who was assisted by Mtb. Maraba Bennett Thursday afternoon. A three course luncheon was served by Miss Louise Neff, Ethel King, Helen Roller, Agnes Cain, Iva Nicholson and Uorit Bennett. Those present were Mesdames Clara Crawford, Lona Stevens, Rosa Nicholson, Jennie Gilraore, Lide Heath, Lodoska Nicholson, Don Overman, Hannah Bradbury, Mary Ellis, Nola Allen, Etta King. Ethel Swain,

Jessie Nicholson, Belle Brooks, O. C. Cook, Dr. Crump, Mabel Gaylor, Mildred McMullen, Elizabeth Qaylor. AIlie Wise, Jennie McMullen. Ethleen Wise, Mary Brown. Ida Guncle, Sarah Borton, Martha Dean, Ada Ullery, Gladys Ridge, Adda Cain. Emma Neff, Aleatha Mittert, Amanda Martindale, Charles Bennett. Flora Squires, the Misses Ida Qaylor, Sadie Shaffer, Flossie Neff and Irene Gurgess. W S. Hatefield and wife have returned from Indianapolis after a week's visit. A bobsled party of high school students and teachers went to Centervllle Wednesday night. Rev. W. A. Guy, of this place, and Rev. Chamers, of Centerville. began a revival meeting at the Christian church Monday night. In spite of the Inclement weather large crowds have been attending. Mr. and Mrs. Cal Boyd have returned from Stone Bluff, where they have been visiting their son, Rev.

J Harry Boyd. 1 Mr. Harry Fpean a rf,! - ' is moving to his farm west of town

where he will remain until the firat of March. Mrs. John Boyd and Miss Theo-

- dosla McDevitt have gone to Newcastle to spend a few days with Mrs.. Loun Brookshire. Clyde Brooks started today for j Pltsburg with a load of cattle.

Philadelphia school teachers are ,', 'or an Increase of $101 a year In salary.

CHICHESTER S PILLS

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CASTOR I A For Infants and Children. The Kind You Hais Always Bought Signature of

POLITICAL

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AUDITOR HOWARD BROOKS Candidate f-r Auditor of Wayne County subject t the Progressive primary election, February 9.

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I i jj Banner i i

The Municipal Light Plant Those demanding very radical and sudden changes in the administration and use of the light plant must in the very nature of the case be doomed to disappointment. The plant is now struggling with an indebtedness incurred when new machinery was installed. This amounts to many thousands of dollars and must be paid off, before anything further is done. Unless the plant is to be needlessly crippled for another two or three years it will be necessary so to economize as to wipe off this debt. Business methods, as well as many other considerations, demand this. Of the two things now expected the most popular, it may be supposed, is a decrease in rates. As former superintendent Johnson has said, the plant may be put in such a condition and its affairs so managed that a decrease of at least twenty-five per cent in rates may be made. This would be a boon to all users of its current and considerably decrease the cost of living for many families. Before this can be done, however, it seems necessary to install throughout the city a new system of street illumination. The arcs now in use have, so Superintendent Kleinknecht has told us, almost outlived their usefulness. His hope is that the 'Sunlight" system may be put in as a substitute for the present. If this is done the city will have a form of cluster lights slightly different from that proposed, but even more desirable. The old fashioned cluster light illuminates in spots; the "Sunlight" street lamp, in the form it would be used down town, would give a steady and evenly distributed illumination. But before either of these very much hoped for changes are made, the plant must pay off its debts and accumulate a surplus. To go into debt the deeper while old debts remain is as poor a

i policy lor a municipal business as for a nrivat.p

a private. ' ! POINTED PARAGRAPHS I SENATOR SOMEWHAT PUT OUT. Baltimore Sun. A Missouri senator sold his vote for $200 and now he's mad because lie is being criticised for selling it at all. What lie thought was wrong was selling it so low.

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NOBODY'LL WANT TO GO AROUND. Washington Herald. So far as we can sec, Cape Horn won't be a bit of use to anybody after the Panama Canal is opened.

OTHERS STILL ON THE JOB. Washington Post. A careful canvass shows that thus far Mr. Whitacre is the only congressman who has sworn off looking wise.

GOOD EXCUSE IF THEY DON'T. Florida. Times-Union. Women may not love as deeply as men after all, seeing that there is nothing in the opposite sex to furnish the inspiration.

CAUTION!

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BUY IT BY THE BOX of most dealers for 85 cents. Each box contains twenty 5 cent packages

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CLERK. CLAFDE KEEVKR Candidate tor Clerk of Wayne County subject to th

Progressive primary election, FVluu-

ary 9. CHARLES POTTER Candidate for Clerk of Wayne County subject to tb.Progressive primary election, February 9. L.. C. HARRISON Candidate for Clerk of Wayne County subject to the Progressive primary election. F-br;-ary 9. PARK R. G1PE Candidal" r Clerk of Wayne Circuit Cour:. sl!ject to Progressive primary election. February 9. CLARENCE P. MOTE Candida; for Clerk of Wayne Circuit Court, subject to Progressive primary election Februarv 9.

TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR. JAMES HOWARTH Candidate for Township Assessor of Wayne Township subject to the Progressive primary election, February 9. J. O. DARNELL Candidate for As seasor of Wayne County, subject to th Progressive primary election. February 9th.

TREASURER. ALBERT N. CHAMNESS Candidate for Treasurer of Wayne rnunij. subject to the Progressive primary election. February 9.

SHERIFF.

JACOB BAYER Candidate for Sheriff of Wayne county, subject to the Progressive primary election, February 9.

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE. J. O. EDGERTON Candidate for

Township Trustee of Wayne Township, sub.ict to Progressive primar;election Februarv 9. i ' JOHN DEITZ Candidate for Tru? . tee of Wayne Township, subject to the Progressive primary election, Februi arv 9.

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REPRESENTATIVE.

J. W. JUDKINS Candidate for Rer resentallve of Wayne County, fn:h;e, : to the Progressive primary elect i : Februarv 9.

JUDGE OF WAYNE CIRCUIT COUfT WILLIAM A no NT) Candidate Judge of Wayne Cireuit 'o;irt. s:,:

j ject to ProgTesie rimai cl' - . i

Februarv 9.

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