Part 10 (2/2)
”This head of McCannon shows a good development of the base of the brain, giving fine energies and observation, but the entire upper story is taken away. Anschlag, on the other hand, shows a good development in front of the ears, sufficient memory, sympathy and observation to display more than average intelligence on some points. The organs in the back part of the crown and the occipital region generally, are almost dest.i.tute of power, and render him incapable of comprehending social relations, his duties towards others, or the consequences of his acts.
He can not form a correct judgment in regard to the rights of property, and if he wanted anything he would steal it, without giving a thought to the question of right or wrong. If he were questioned whether it were right or wrong to steal or murder, he would answer 'wrong,' because he has heard others say it was wrong, and he answers from memory alone. If the question could be left entirely to his own judgment, he would be as absolutely incapable of solving it as a man who is color-blind would be incapable of distinguis.h.i.+ng shades of color.”
”If Anschlag's head was as deficient in all points as he is in the region behind the ears, what would be the result?” inquired the reporter.
”It would be much the same as this,” replied the phrenologist, producing a cast of the head of an adult idiot ”dest.i.tute of all resemblance to the head of a human being, and showing a short development of brain fiber at all points. It is a noteworthy fact that the most revolting crimes are generally committed by the insane and the morally idiotic because their condition renders them incapable of understanding the moral side of the question. A single life or a dozen lives which stand in the way of their accomplis.h.i.+ng a purpose, are regarded by them as simply so many obstacles to be overcome, and if, as in Anschlag's case, the organs giving conscientiousness and fear of consequences are weak, they will not hesitate to destroy life to carry out a design.”
”Do you consider Anschlag insane within the meaning of the law as to responsibility for crime?”
”He is idiotic in the particulars mentioned, and is incapable of exercising moral responsibility in any case. He is likely to commit homicide upon any occasion which may seem to him to be expedient. I would not hold him responsible more than I would hold a horse, dog, or any other animal incapable of correct reason.”
”Where, then, would you fix the responsibility for the murder of the victims?”
”Upon Anschlag's parents and ancestors generally, and upon the condition of society which permits marriages and s.e.xual conditions in parents which can not bring about other than deplorable results. Anschlag's condition is the result of ignorant violation of natural law on the part of his ancestors, dating back for generations. Much could have been done for him by a proper education. That it was not done is merely another unfortunate link in a melancholy chain of calamities.”
PHRENOLOGY IN POLITICS.
Some Important Facts in Physiology Which Politicians Do not Take into Account--The Lessons of the Recent Election Considered From a Phrenological Standpoint--Characteristics of Some Leading Men.
[From the Dallas (Texas) _News_, Nov. 10, 1888.]
”There are some facts which play an important part in politics,” said Prof. Wm. Windsor, the phrenologist, to a _News_ representative last night after the professor had dismissed his audience in Hill's business college hall after an interesting lecture on physiognomy, ”which politicians, as a rule, do not consider. Of course any man of intelligence who plays long at the game of politics comes to possess a certain kind of shrewdness in judging human nature; but very few of them are able to recognize and define the subtile const.i.tutional influences which predetermine the success or failure of the aspirant for political honors. Such influences, however, exist, and other things being equal, or approximately so, it is entirely possible to select, out of a number of candidates, the ones who will succeed by sheer force of physical attributes. There are men who are by nature qualified to lead in great enterprises, and they owe their success in attracting the support of their followers not so much to the development of intellect and shrewdness as to the strong attachment arising from a large development of the brain back of the ears in those regions which give courage and social fraternity. After many years' careful study of the subject, I am positive in the opinion that a strong preponderance of the electric temperament is of the greatest importance in the const.i.tutional qualifications of a man who a.s.sumes the task of a political race in anything of higher moment than a county election. The magnetic temperament seems to be particularly unfortunate in political contests.”
”What are the distinguis.h.i.+ng characteristics of these temperaments?”
”The electric is the brunette, the magnetic is the blonde. Of the former, General Harrison is a fine example; so were his ancestors, who have played a conspicuous part in history. The electric temperament is dark and swarthy in complexion, angular in configuration, tenacious and strong in texture, and possesses a well-rounded back head, giving large organs of social fraternity, courage, caution and self-reliance. In General Harrison, these traits are somewhat softened by a superabundant vitality, but the traits are all there. John A. Logan was a magnificent type of this temperament. Abraham Lincoln personified it in all its angularity and simplicity. Governor Ross, of this State, is strongly marked with it; while, to come nearer home, your own Barney Gibbs is as good an example of the vital phase of it as Lincoln was of the motive.
Nearly all the Presidents of the United States were strongly endowed with this temperament, except Rutherford B. Hayes, who, on the contrary, was a fine example of the magnetic. You will remember that he was a sort of accidental President, anyhow, and that he was the result of a compromise in his own party, in a convention in which several electric temperament candidates had produced a deadlock. You will also remember that his administration was characterized by no act of National importance and that at its close he was relegated to an obscurity such as has never befallen any other ex-President.”
”How about the National legislature?”
”Three-fourths of the members of Congress and a greater proportion of the Senate are brunettes. The same rule holds good in State legislatures as far as I have observed. The temperament which stands second best in political preferment is the magnetic mental. Sam J. Tilden, Levi P.
Morton and Thomas A. Hendricks represent this type. It owes its success to the depth and intensity of its intellectual development, which frequently creates a demand for its services in great emergencies. It is characterized by brilliancy, integrity and the ability to acc.u.mulate a barrel of money, which is also useful in political emergencies.”
”If the blonde is a failure in politics, wherein does he find his proper sphere of usefulness?”
”The blonde is an organization of wonderful versatility and commands influence and wins applause in vocations calling for spirit and vigor displayed at short and frequent intervals, rather than for continued tension on the nerves and muscles. He is warm, enthusiastic, generous, impulsive, and deficient in the selfish propensities and in ambition. He loves display and would like to have power, but is inadequate to the continued effort and the endurance necessary to obtain it. He wields a more potent influence in the pulpit, on the rostrum or in journalism.
George W. Peck, T. DeWitt Talmage and R. B. Hayes represent three different types of this temperament all possessing these attributes.”
”What about Cleveland and Blaine?”
”Cleveland and Blaine are both examples of modified forms of the Magnetic temperament, more marked in Blaine's case than in Cleveland's.
The student of politics will do well to observe that the defeat of Blaine in 1884 and of Cleveland in 1888 were both due to defections from their own ranks toward opponents of greater power in the particulars mentioned. Reasoning from purely physiological grounds, I believe Cleveland would have defeated Blaine had he been renominated in 1888.
The study of human nature from any standpoint is interesting; doubly so when viewed in the light of great events which 'try men's souls,' in fact, whether they be Presidential elections, the clash of armies or the great discoveries of scientific students.”
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