heterogeneous illusions

At the height of the socialist agitation there arose a doctrine which seemingly erected a materialist barrier against herdism; the theory of evolution.

Evolution itself, as well as the broader interest for biology which ensued from it, led to the tentative establishment of racialist theories. These were first of all welcomed in aristocratic quarters that are always keen on genealogy, thankful for every vindication of their hard-pressed caste, and overjoyous at a defense based not on sentimental but on “scientific” grounds. The fact that the French aristocracy considers itself to be largely of Frankish, i.e., Nordic, origin led Count Gobineau to his apologia of the Nordic Race which caused such havoc in many a Germanic, British, and American brain from Atlanta, Georgia, to Riga, Livonia.

The theory of Evolution brought only temporary relief to the badly harassed aristocracy of Europe. It is more important to remember that it gave a new impetus to materialism, and that while weakening the Christian tradition even further in the minds of many it gave birth to a new type of group consciousness, thus increasing the already virulent herd spirit. The worship of the sciences became more intensive and the mobs waited eagerly for new gospels to emerge from the laboratories. The new “scientific” discoveries were preached with furor and fervor and soon there was a veritable persecution of true Christians going on in intellectual as well as popular circles.