The Man Versus the State [26]
approval of existing arrangements. Many things he reprobates I reprobate quite as much; but I dissent from his remedy. The gentleman who writes under the pseudonym of "Frank Fairman," reproaches me with having receded from that sympathetic defence of the labouring classes which he finds in Social Statics; but I am quite unconscious of any such change as he alleges. Looking with a lenient eye upon the irregularities of those whose lives are hard, by no means involves tolerance of good-for-nothings.
NOTES:
1. Hansard's Parliamentary History, 32. p. 710.
2. Fortnightly Review, January, 1884, p. 17.
3. Factories and Workshops Act, 41 and 42 Vic., cap. 16.
4. See letter of Local Government, Times, January 2, 1884.
5. Verification comes more promptly than I expected. This article has been standing intype since January 30, and in the interval, namely on March 13, the London School Board resolved to apply for authority to use local charitable funds for supplying gratis meals and clothing to indigent children. Presently the definition of "indigent" will be widened, more children will be included and more funds aked for.
6. Fortnightly Review, January, 1884.
7. Russia, I. 422.
8. Socialism made Plain, Review, 185, Fleet Street.
9. If any one thinks such fears are groundless, let him contemplate the fact that from 1867-8 to 1880-1, our annual local expenditure for the United Kingdom has grown from *36,132,834 to *63,276,283; and that during the same 13 years, the municipal expenditure in England and Wales alone, has grown from 13 millions to 30 millions a year! How the increase of public burdens will join with othe causes in bringing about public ownership, is shown by a statement made by Mr W. Rathbone, M.P., to which any attention has been drawn since the above paragraph was in type. He says, "within my own experience, local taxation in New York has risen from 12s 6d per cent to *2 12s 6d per cent on the capital of its citizens -- a charge which would more than absorb the whole income of an average English landlord." Nineteenth Century, February, 1883.
10. Fortnightly Review, November, 1883, pp. 619-20.
11. Lactant. De M. Persecut, cc. 7, 23.
12. Taine, L'Ancien Regime, pp. 337-8 (in the English translation).
13. Report of Commissioners for Inquiry into the Admistration and Practical Operation of the Poor Laws, p. 37. February 20, 1834.
THE SINS OF LEGISLATORS
Be it or be it not true that Man is shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin, it is unquestionably true that Government is begotten of aggression and by aggression. In small undeveloped societies where for ages complete peace has continued, there exists nothing like what we call Government: no coercive agency, but mere honorary headship, if any headship at all. In these exceptional communities, unaggressive and from special causes unaggressed upon, there is so little deviation from the virtues of truthfulness, honesty, justice, and generosity, that nothing beyond an occasional expression of public opinion by informally-assembled elders is needful.(1*) Conversely, we find proofs that, at first recognized but temporarily during leadership in war, the authority of a chief is permanently established by continuity of war; and grows strong where successful aggression ends in subjection of neighbouring tribes. And thence onwards, examples furnished by all races put beyond doubt the truth, that the coercive power of the chief, developing into king, and king of kings (a frequent title in the ancient East), becomes great in proportion as conquest becomes habitual and the union of subdued nations extensive.(2*) Comparisons disclose a further truth which should be ever present to us -- the truth that the aggressiveness of the ruling power inside a society increases with its aggressiveness outside the society. As, to make an efficient army, the soldiers in their several grades must be subordinate to the commander; so, to make an efficient fighting community, must the citizens be subordinate to the ruling power. They must furnish recruits
NOTES:
1. Hansard's Parliamentary History, 32. p. 710.
2. Fortnightly Review, January, 1884, p. 17.
3. Factories and Workshops Act, 41 and 42 Vic., cap. 16.
4. See letter of Local Government, Times, January 2, 1884.
5. Verification comes more promptly than I expected. This article has been standing intype since January 30, and in the interval, namely on March 13, the London School Board resolved to apply for authority to use local charitable funds for supplying gratis meals and clothing to indigent children. Presently the definition of "indigent" will be widened, more children will be included and more funds aked for.
6. Fortnightly Review, January, 1884.
7. Russia, I. 422.
8. Socialism made Plain, Review, 185, Fleet Street.
9. If any one thinks such fears are groundless, let him contemplate the fact that from 1867-8 to 1880-1, our annual local expenditure for the United Kingdom has grown from *36,132,834 to *63,276,283; and that during the same 13 years, the municipal expenditure in England and Wales alone, has grown from 13 millions to 30 millions a year! How the increase of public burdens will join with othe causes in bringing about public ownership, is shown by a statement made by Mr W. Rathbone, M.P., to which any attention has been drawn since the above paragraph was in type. He says, "within my own experience, local taxation in New York has risen from 12s 6d per cent to *2 12s 6d per cent on the capital of its citizens -- a charge which would more than absorb the whole income of an average English landlord." Nineteenth Century, February, 1883.
10. Fortnightly Review, November, 1883, pp. 619-20.
11. Lactant. De M. Persecut, cc. 7, 23.
12. Taine, L'Ancien Regime, pp. 337-8 (in the English translation).
13. Report of Commissioners for Inquiry into the Admistration and Practical Operation of the Poor Laws, p. 37. February 20, 1834.
THE SINS OF LEGISLATORS
Be it or be it not true that Man is shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin, it is unquestionably true that Government is begotten of aggression and by aggression. In small undeveloped societies where for ages complete peace has continued, there exists nothing like what we call Government: no coercive agency, but mere honorary headship, if any headship at all. In these exceptional communities, unaggressive and from special causes unaggressed upon, there is so little deviation from the virtues of truthfulness, honesty, justice, and generosity, that nothing beyond an occasional expression of public opinion by informally-assembled elders is needful.(1*) Conversely, we find proofs that, at first recognized but temporarily during leadership in war, the authority of a chief is permanently established by continuity of war; and grows strong where successful aggression ends in subjection of neighbouring tribes. And thence onwards, examples furnished by all races put beyond doubt the truth, that the coercive power of the chief, developing into king, and king of kings (a frequent title in the ancient East), becomes great in proportion as conquest becomes habitual and the union of subdued nations extensive.(2*) Comparisons disclose a further truth which should be ever present to us -- the truth that the aggressiveness of the ruling power inside a society increases with its aggressiveness outside the society. As, to make an efficient army, the soldiers in their several grades must be subordinate to the commander; so, to make an efficient fighting community, must the citizens be subordinate to the ruling power. They must furnish recruits