194 THE MISMEASURE OF MANably linked. The wise man can control his sexuality in a rational
manner: "Consider for a moment the sex emotion, supposed to be
the most uncontrollable of all human instincts; yet it is notorious
that the intelligent man controls even this" (1919, p. 273). The
moron cannot behave in so exemplary and abstemious a fashion:
They are not only lacking in control but they are lacking often in the
perception of moral qualities; if they are not allowed to marry they are
nevertheless not hindered from becoming parents. So that if we are abso-
lutely to prevent a feeble-minded person from becoming a parent, some-
thing must be done other than merely prohibiting the marrying. To this
end there are two proposals: the first is colonization, the second is sterili-
zation (1914, p. 566).
Goddard did not oppose sterilization, but he regarded it as
impractical because traditional sensibilities of a society not yet
wholly rational would prevent such widespread mayhem. Coloni-
zation in exemplary institutions like his own at Vineland, New Jer-
sey, must be our preferred solution. Only here could the
reproduction of morons be curtailed. If the public balked at the
great expense of building so many new centers for confinement,
the cost could easily be recouped by its own savings:
If such colonies were provided in sufficient number to take care of all
the distinctly feeble-minded cases in the community, they would very
largely take the place of our present almshouses and prisons, and they
would greatly decrease the numbers in our insane hospitals. Such colonies
would save an annual loss in property and life, due to the action of these
irresponsible people, sufficient to nearly, or quite, offset the expense of
the new plant (1912, pp. 105-106).
Inside these institutions, morons could operate in contentment
at their biologically appointed level, denied only the basic biology
of their own sexuality. Goddard ended his book on the causes of
mental deficiency with this plea for the care of institutionalized
morons: "Treat them as children according to their mental age,
constantly encourage and praise, never discourage or scold; and
keep them happy" (1919, p. 327).
Preventing the immigration and propagation of morons
Once Goddard had identified the cause of feeble-mindedness
in a single gene, the cure seemed simple enough: don't allow native