In “Race Amalgamation” by Frederick L. Hoffman, he puts forward the idea that the intermingling of the white and black races is to the detriment of the civilization of the United States of America. He begins his argument from a place of mild ambiguity that while it still remains unanswered whether racial crossing is to the betterment or the deterioration of the races, it is important to prove scientifically whether it leads to improved intellectual, moral, or physical capacities. In the process of combing through the scientific literature on the matter, Hoffman concludes that offspring which are produced through intermingling are intellectually, morally, and physically inferior to their parents as a general rule. He makes this conclusion through studies he’s chosen that measure the weight, circumference of the chest, lung capacity, rate of respiration, head circumference, facial angle, and weight of the brain of whites, pure blacks, and mixed-race individuals. Of the evidence which supports the opposing view Hoffman addresses the most popular case of Mr. Lille Geoffroy. To dismantle this opposing argument, he essential equates this case to the saying, “in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”. Furthermore, Hoffman invokes the law of similarity, the natural equilibrium that if disturbed by the intermingling of races will result in the deterioration and eventual annihilation of civilization. Amongst all the rhetoric of his essay, Hoffman does make a strong appeal to a certain audience. He capitalizes on the rising following of objective science and uses it to persuade in a quite unethical manner. Nevertheless, to one with an untrained eye and a favorable mind towards logic and reason, that reader would be easily deceived.

            I stated a strong appeal to a certain audience. While undoubtedly part, if not most, of Hoffman’s targeted audience was the scientific community, part also seems to be a more general audience of white Americans. The inquiring nature of Hoffman’s essay, as if on some sort of philosophical journey, would appeal very well to individuals who think and peruse meaningful topics with a curious, logical mind. Such an audience would be drawn in by the myriad data and studies the essay is peppered with and heavily dissuaded by the opposing arguments as they hold very little weight in the way that Hoffman represents them.