Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/467

 RACE AND MARRIAGE 453

once by the slow process of natural selection. A result once achieved may, by exchange or by example, be passed on to all other peoples which can use it. To this extent may the "capitali- zation of achievement" for the whole of humanity be useful in accelerating the rate of progress among backward races, by saving them the necessity of doing over again what has already been done. But each group must still work out much of its own destiny alone. England cannot make Englishmen of her colored tropical peoples, nor is it desirable that she do so, either from her point of view or from theirs. A culture people will do more useful service for civilization by following the lines of its own natural capacities. A backward group will advance more securely and will be more likely to attain a stable culture if it retain its own fundamental type, accepting by assimilation whatever of advantage it can profitably adopt from without. Co-operation in the work of civilization can be realized without the mongreli- zation of the world's peoples. Preservation of distinct racial types means the saving of characteristic traits and capacities which are as stimulating and beneficent for the world community as are varied individual traits for smaller social units.