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EDITOR'S TABLE.
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��duced to reject it. Now, we perceive that we all have a moral sense ; but the moral sense of one individual, and still more of one race, may differ from that of another in- dividual or race. Each is more or less fitted to its circumstances, and the best is ascer- tained by eventual success.
At the tail end of an article it is, of course, impossible to discuss the grounds or results of the Spencerian philosophy. To me it pre- sents itself, in its main features, as unques- tionably true ; indeed, it is already difficult to look back and imagine how philosophers could have denied of the human mind and actions what is so obviously true of the ani- mal races generally. As a reaction from the old views about innate ideas, the philoso- phers of the eighteenth century wished to believe that the human mind was a kind of tabula rasa, or carte hlanche, upon which education could impress any character. But, if so, why not harness the lion, and teach the sheep to drive away the wolf? If the moral, not to speak of the physical charac- teristics of the lower animals, are so distinct, why should there not be moral and mental differences among ourselves, descending, as we obviously do, from different stocks with different physical characteristics ? . . . . Many persons may be inclined to like the philosophy of Spencer no better than that of Mill. But, if the one bo true and the other false, liking and disliking have no place in the matter. There may be many things which we can not possibly like ; but, if they are, they are. It is possible that the princi- ples of evolution, as expounded by Mr. Her- bert Spencer, may seem as wanting in " ge- niality" as the formulas of Bentham. . . . Nevertheless, I fully believe that all which is sinister and ungenial in the philosophy of evolution is either the expression of unques- tionable facts, or else it is the outcome of misinterpretation. It is impossible to see how Mr. Spencer, any more than other peo- ple, can explain away the existence of pain and evil. Nobody has done this ; perhaps nobody ever shall do it ; certainly systems of theology will not do it. A true philoso- pher will not expect to solve everything. But, if we admit the potent fact that pain exists, let us observe also the tendency which Spencer and Darwin establish toward its minimization. Evolution is a striving ever toward the better and the happier. There may be also infinite powers against us, but at least there is a deep-built scheme working toward goodness and happiness. So profound and widespread is this confed- eracy of the powers of good, that no failure,
��and no series of failures, can disconcert it. Let mankind be thrown back a hundred times, and a hundred times the better ten- dencies of evolution will reassert themselves. Paley pointed out how many beautiful con- trivances there are in the human form tend- ing to our benefit. Spencer has pointed out that the universe is one deep-laid framework for the production of such beneficent con- trivances. I'aley called upon us to admire such exquisite inventions as a hand or an eye ; Spencer calls upon us to admire a machine which is the most comprehensive of all machines, because it is ever engaged in inventing beneficial inventions ad injini- tiim. Such, at least, is my way of regarding his philosophy.
Darwin, indeed, cautions us against sup- posing that natural selection always leads to- ward the production of higher and happier types of life. Ketrogression may result as well as progression. But I apprehend that retrogression can only occur where the en- vironment of a living species is altered to its detriment. Mankind degenerates when forced, like the Esquimaux, to inhabit the Arctic regions. Still in retrograding, in a sense, the being becomes more suited to its circumstances — more capable, therefore, of happiness. The inventing machine of evo- lution would be working badly if it worked otherwise. But, however this may be, we must accept the philosophy if it be true, and, for my part, I do so without reluctance.
According to Mill, we are little, self-de- pendent gods, fighting with a malignant and murderous power called Nature, sure, one would think, to be worsted in the struggle. According to Spencer, as I venture to inter- pret his theory, we are the latest manifesta- tion of an all-prevailing tendency toward the good, the happy. Creation is not yet con- cluded, and there is no one of us who may not become conscious in his heart that he is no automaton, no mere lump of protoplasm, but the creature of a Creator.
��RAILROAD CASUALTIES.
Ofe half century's experience Avith railroads is full of various instruction. Charles Francis Adams, Jr., has occu- pied himself with the lessons of railroad casualties. ITe has investigated them officially in Massachusetts, and studied them elsewhere, and he has made a lit- tle volume vvhich he modestly calls
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