Balder Ex-Libris

Author : Campbell Howard
Title : Anthropology for the people A refutation of the theory of the adamic origin of all races
Year : 1891

Link download : Campbell_Howard_-_Anthropology_for_the_people.zip

Preface. In presenting himself before the public, the author of this work, which is intended for the people, asks a fair and candid consideration of facts and arguments which are not familiar to the general public, or mass of the people, to whom they are of profound practical importance. The object sought is the diffusion of truth, with the hope of arousing attention, in some degree, to serious evils. When truth is presented, it is our duty to receive and act upon it, opposed, as it may be, to prejudices and preconceived opinions. It cannot result in permanent injury, but final good; and as to consequences, we are not responsible for them : our business is to accept the truth, and leave them to Him in whose hands are the destinies of all. The author is deeply impressed with the evil tendency of the theories generally prevailing concerning the origin of races and their relations toward one another, and would particularly awaken the public mind to that degrading error, which, regarding all mankind as having the same origin and with naturally the same capacities, responsibilities and duties, would reduce all to the same level and mingle them in one common mass, towards which is the general trend of scientific speculation. A large proportion of men of scientific attainments seem fascinated with the evolution hypothesis, which, as generally interpreted, involves the unity of origin of the human race ; and this latter dogma has been the source of a fanaticism which has brought an incalculable amount of sin and suffering on the world, and threatens' much more. It will die hard, and many pens will be inked and many tongues wearied in defence of the unfounded and debasing error that all races of men were alike created in God's image, and constitute one brotherhood, capable of attaining the same intellectual and moral level ; and that, hence, all racial diversities should be disregarded and obliterated. Many scientists give their authority to this dangerous delusion, and the assertion may be safely ventured that on no subject has more nonsense been published to the world, labelled "science," and received as oracular wisdom by the credulous multitude. An old adage says, "When philosophers set out to be foolish, there is no folly equal to theirs." Is not this demonstrated in the case of our modern scientists, who, leaving their proper sphere—the investigation of nature and the discovery of truth—give us their assumptions and theories as facts of science? Has the world fallen into that sad state of which St. Paul speaks, when it has come "to believe a lie"? A more cunning and dangerous lie, and a more palpable one, than the genetic equality and unity of the human race, the evil one never invented. This writer claims to speak with some degree of authority on certain matters herein discussed, from long and intimate knowledge of the Negro race, both as slaves and freemen, and, therefore, much that he writes is the result of his own observation. The position he is compelled to take is one of apparent hostility to the Negro; but he disclaims this, and asserts that he is kindly disposed towards that race, and has always been ready to promote their best interests, and has never failed to do so when opportunity was presented. It may also appear that his sympathies are more with the people of the Southern than with the Northern States of the American Union; but he insists that, in this respect, he is governed by a sense of right and justice and sufficient warrant of facts. His acquaintance with the Southern people, whom he believes to be equal to any on the face of the earth in all the best attributes of manhood, and his opinions of the essential and original diversities of races, might naturally lead him to sympathize with the South, the suffering victim 44 mistaken philanthropy; but he has endeavoured to judge fairly, and has written conscientiously. He has no interest to subserve but truth. He writes anonymously, not because he shrinks from the adverse criticisms that await him in certain quarters, and which must be encountered by one who opposes old beliefs and popular prejudices ; but because what he has to say should go forth without prejudice, favourable or unfavourable, that his personality might attach to it. ...