The consequence is that the wealth-power has been developed, while the moral and social sanctions by which that power ought to be controlled have not yet been developed. To me this seems a mere waste of words. Do not attempt to generalize those interferences or to plan for them a priori. Our disposition toward the ills which our fellow man inflicts on us through malice or meddling is quite different from our disposition toward the ills which are inherent in the conditions of human life. In the Middle Ages men were united by custom and prescription into associations, ranks, guilds, and communities of various kinds. Perhaps they do not recognize themselves, for a rich man is even harder to define than a poor one. To the capital in existence all must come for their subsistence and their tools. A free man, a free country, liberty, and equality are terms of constant use among us. The latter, however, is never thought of in this connection. Whatever may be one's private sentiments, the fear of appearing cold and hard-hearted causes these conventional theories of social duty and these assumptions of social fact to pass unchallenged. Legislative and judicial scandals show us that the conflict is already opened, and that it is serious. They are made to serve private ends, often incidentally the political interests of the persons who vote the appropriations. The very sacredness of the relation in which two men stand to one another when one of them rescues the other from vice separates that relation from any connection with the work of the social busybody, the professional philanthropist, and the empirical legislator. All that can be said is that those who have recourse to it at last ought to understand that they assume a great responsibility, and that they can only be justified by the circumstances of the case. The wealth which he wins would not be but for him. If the sewing women, teachers, servants, and washer women could once be collected over against the thread mill, then some inferences could be drawn which would be worth something. Where life has been so easy and ample that it cost no effort, few improvements have been made. On the Reasons Why Man Is Not Altogether a Brute. The third had a glass in which he could see what was going on at any place he might name.
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