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

1850.] On the Diversity of Origin of the Human Race. 641
out various obvious methods of reconciling it with the constant
analogies of nature, and above all with the Power and Providence
of God. WTe have also examined the reasoning on which the
new hypothesis rests, and found it wholly unsatisfactory
and futile; as well as fraught with monstrous consequences.
It still remains for us to show, that if the Christian revelation were out of the way, as well as the radical and preposterous consequences of the doctrine, in regard to the future
treatment of the coloured races, the hypothesis is still directly
contradicted by the present state of our ethnological, and especially our philological knowledge. This after all, is the
argument from which we had hoped the most, so far as we
have any hope of convincing the authors and abettors of the
new hypothesis; as it is philosophical in its character, and conclusive in its applications. Ve find ourselves, however, unexpectedly compelled, for want of space, to postpone this portion
of the discussion, at least for the present. Meantime we wish
to say, that we hold ourselves prepared abundantly to show,
that whether all the races of men are children of one common
parentage or not, it is clear at least, that the hypothesis of
Prof. Agassiz cannot be true. Nations whom hlie assigns to
distant zoological provinces, originally without anlly sort of comnmunity, speak languages that are fundamentally the same.
These linguistic ana igies, moreover, will be found not in immediate contiguity withl their assumed centres of origin, or
among tribes that mig'.t possibly have changed their language
as the Goths did in conquering Italy, but in the very heart of
other provinces, removed beyond the possibility of any such
changes, and of so radical and decisive a character, as not
to admit of being grafted, by intercourse, upon the stock
of a distinct race of beings. And if we may be allowed, without offence, and with the most profound respect for the l arned
and distinguished Professor upon all questions belonging to
his own department, to use the language of the draman, the
whole may be concluded with the amusing philosophic comedy,
(for itscertainly cannot be regardedl as a serious argument) in
whicl. Prof. Agassiz undertakes to account for thie similarity
of language found among the nations belonging to his different