On the Diversity of Origin of the Human Races [pp. 603-642]

Prof. Agassiz New Hypothesis
is essential to their temporal existence, must be at least one of the condi tions, under which they were created. We maintain, that, like all other
organized beings, mankind cannot have originated in single individuals, but
must have been created in that numeric harmony, which is characteristic
of each species; man must have originated in nations, as the bees have
in swarms, and as the different social plants have at first covered the extensive tracts over which they naturally spread." Christian Exaniner, July
1850, pp.127, 128.
The proton pseudos of this whole hypothesis, lies in the
assumption that there is no historical or authentic solution of
the question; or in other words that the Bible is either not
entitled to be heard upon it, because it is unworthy of credit as an authentic or inspired record, or because this is a
question of science, on which the Bible was not intended to
pronounce, any more than upon questions of astronomy or
geology, or else because the language of the Mosaic narrative
is so loose, and its teaching so indefinite, as to furnish no determinate solution.
We are happy to acquit Prof. Agassiz of any intention to
impugn either the authenticity or inspiration of the sacred
scriptures. The earnestness with he disclaims this purpose, as
well as that of deprecating the political condition of the servile
races, is honourable to his heart, and stands in marked contrast with the coarseness, and brutality, as well as the absurdity, of those who have seized upon his name and reputation, to shield and justify their puny assault upon the Bible,
aid the ill concealed joy with which they trample on humanity
and riot in the ruin of their degraded fellow-men. We are
sorry to add, however, that Prof. Agassiz does repeatedly
sanction, and sometimes we think neither in good temper nor
in good taste, those slang phrases which jar upon our ears,
and sound to us as inconsistent with his accustomed courtesy,
as well as that refinement and liberality of feeling, which true
science ought to generate.
The changes are rung for example in endless variety of
irony and sarcasm, upon the inability of the friends of Revelation to "conceive that the Bible is not a text book of natural history," and we are reminded ad nauseam, of the groundless fears entertained by the theologians of the church of
Rome, three hundred years ago, in regard to the influence of
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