I was glad to hear of that determination as I detest the practice

"I was glad to hear of that determination as I detest the practice of cousins marrying or any marriage between persons in which there can be traced the most distant relationship. I go for the improvement instead of the deterioration of our race." These words, spoken by Ezra Cornell, resound with the power of conviction and the weight of a worldview that sees the human race as something to be improved, elevated, and strengthened. But what is the meaning behind this passionate stance? And what wisdom does it hold for us today?

At the heart of Cornell's statement lies a deep concern for the health and progress of the human species. He speaks against the practice of cousins marrying, or any union where there is a traceable familial connection. His argument is rooted not in mere prejudice or cultural norms, but in a belief that marriage, as an institution, should serve the higher purpose of strengthening the race—of ensuring the physical, intellectual, and moral improvement of humanity. From the depths of his heart, he urges us to consider the future, to think beyond individual desire, and to act in the interest of posterity.

In ancient times, the idea of marriage was far from the romantic unions we speak of today. It was, in many societies, a sacred bond with the purpose of propagation—to create future generations that would carry on the family name, honor, and legacy. Whether in the Greek city-states, where marriage was meant to preserve the wealth and nobility of the bloodline, or in the Roman Empire, where marriage was seen as a civic duty, the union between two individuals was always viewed through the lens of societal advancement. To marry a cousin or someone with whom you share blood meant risking the blending of similar traits, creating a pool of inherited qualities that might limit the future growth of the family or the society at large.

Consider the example of Queen Victoria of England and her many descendants, whose intermarriage within royal families across Europe became infamous. The genetic consequences were harsh. It is said that many of her children, in particular, suffered from hemophilia, a blood disorder that was passed down through generations due to the repeated intermarriage between royal bloodlines. The history of such unions serves as a vivid reminder of the dangers that Ezra Cornell feared—the potential deterioration of a race when the future is built on limited genetic diversity.

But it is important, too, to recognize that Cornell's beliefs, while driven by his understanding of genetics and human improvement, were rooted in the desire for the advancement of society. He sought not to degrade but to uplift. His statement was not one of exclusion, but of striving for the best—a world where each generation could stand stronger, wiser, and more resilient than the last. In this sense, his view echoes through the ages with a call to progress, to break the chains of past mistakes, and to move forward with an eye always on the betterment of the human race.

Yet, we must temper such thoughts with the understanding that human worth cannot be measured solely by genetic perfection or the purity of one’s bloodline. Family, love, and the human spirit are bound by far more than mere physical traits. The improvement Cornell spoke of is not just in the strength of our bodies but in the strength of our hearts and minds. Progress comes not only through the strength of the flesh but through wisdom, compassion, and the collective efforts to build a more just and equitable world.

So, the lesson of Ezra Cornell is this: Let us always seek the improvement of ourselves and our world, but let us remember that the true strength of the human race lies not in our bloodlines, but in our unity, our shared dreams, and our commitment to the common good. We must be thoughtful in our choices, ensuring that the unions we form, whether familial or societal, lead to a future that benefits all. May we, too, rise above the mistakes of the past, ever seeking to build and never to deteriorate, advancing toward a better tomorrow with wisdom, compassion, and love as our guiding light.