A familiar forensic view of man and law / by Robert B. Warden.

  • Warden, Robert B. (Robert Bruce), 1824-1888.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A familiar forensic view of man and law / by Robert B. Warden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    affirmation, that there is evidence that mankind origin- ated from a common stock. Making such an affirmation, we may proceed as holding the affirmative. Accordingly, we offer here the narrative in Genesis. In offering this narrative, I do not overlook how a portion of its contents seems to he contradicted by such scientific demonstration as the learned and the pious quite harmoniously take for demonstration. And, as we shall see hereafter, I am not disposed to make a close construction of the narrative, except as it refers directly to the origin, the destiny, the duties of mankind. But I do insist upon the competency of the narrative, until impeached, to prove, that all the individuals of our own rank in being—that is to say, all men—are derived from a single pair. Agassiz once encountered this testimony, by insisting, that Genesis must be considered as chiefly relating to the history of the white race, with special reference to the Jews.h But, having argued, that men originate in nations as bees originate in swarms, Agassiz must excuse us if we here impute to him a little want of candor. If he seriously holds, that all men originated in certain numeric propor- tions— might we not describe them as uncertain?—he cannot save the narrative in Genesis from conflict with his theory, by any such construction as he has attempted. Unless nationality may be discovered in a single pair — such nationality, I mean, as Agassiz contemplates — the narrative in Genesis, even if construed as pointing only to the Jews, must be rejected, if we are to take the theory presented by Agassiz. I insist on no severe construction of the record. I would have it read, in this connection, just as it would be construed by the forensic expert. How forensic ex- perts would construe it, I expect to show hereafter. It (h) Agassiz, quoted in the Types, 79.