Christian Union: Archbishop of York’s Touching Speech: … Discussion of Heredity … Mrs. Pinsent, of Birmingham, traced the striking growth of altruistic feeling during the nineteenth century to the development of the idea of social or corporate responsibility. Hitherto all the legislative efforts resulting from this increase of altruism had aimed at improving the environment of the poorer classes, and in so doing had had the indirect effect of perpetuating the unlit. No attention had been given to the improvement of the breed or race. The reproduction of the higher types had been neglected, and the average standard of humanity lowered (hear, hear). Unless something could be done to secure a better heredity for the coming generations, all the altruistic feelings which we so rightly valued might tend to the perpetuation of the very things which we so rightly condemned (hear, hear). A still larger conception of corporate responsibility had become necessary, and one which would prevent the increase of our population from defective and degenerate stocks (hear, hear). …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949