442 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
attaches, there is little possibility of a well-balanced union. The prepotency of certain stocks enables them to dominate the type if the differences are not too pronounced, but this hardly affects the situation when the distasteful qualities require several genera- tions for elimination. Caste marriage, whatever its defects, has the merit of preserving intact the favorite qualities of the group, whether those of color, blood, or culture traits. For this reason it has flourished in simple societies where homogeneity was de- manded, and in those groups that were in danger of losing their identity in the midst of stocks held to be inferior.
However potent may be the influence of sentiment and sex- attraction in temporarily breaking down the barriers of race prejudice, it rarely proves sufficiently enduring to render mixed marriages successful in cases of pronounced diversity of type. With the decay of sentimental attraction the inexorable need of co-operation in the practical business of living together in society asserts itself. Actual or virtual separation is the only alternative where this proves impossible. Foreman reports the results of Spanish-native marriages in the Philippines thus :
It is difficult to apprehend an alliance so ilicongruous, there being no affinity of ideas, and the only condition in common is that they are both human beings professing Christianity. The European husband is either drawn toward the level of the native by this heterogeneous relationship, or in despair of remedying the error of a passing passion, he practically ignores his wife in his own social connections. Each forms then a distinct circle of friends of his or her own selection, whilst the woman is refractory to mental improvement, and in manners is but slightly raised above her own class by European influence and conduct.*
Ill
Most of the historical cases of race blending have proceeded without methodical selection, as a consequence of contact of varieties thrown together by the exigencies of migration, con- quest, or slavery. In its earlier stages cross-breeding usually occurs without social sanction. On the frontiers of civilization there is a constant practice of more or less casual intercourse
The Philippine Islands, 205, 206. The Spanish military authorities form- erly encouraged the marriage of officers with native women.
