THE STATE VERSUS THE MAN. 181 



of independent character, better fitted to survive in the struggle for 

 life. If the authorities in towns levy heavy taxes, and employ the 

 money in improving the condition of the inhabitants and in forming 

 those who need forming, even more than in the German army, and 

 after the fashion of the ancient Greeks, will not the generations yet to 

 come be better able to earn their own livelihood, and to maintain an 

 honourable position, than if they had been allowed to pass their child- 

 hood in the gutters ? Mr. Herbert Spencer reasons falsely when he 

 says, " What matters it that I make the laws if these law T s deprive me 

 of my liberty ? " Laws which tax me to degrade and rob me are 

 odious, but laws which deprive me of what I have for my own good 

 and for the further development of my faculties are well-meaning, as 

 is the constraint imposed on his children by a wise father for their 

 instruction or correction. Besides, to contribute to make laws ele- 

 vates a man's character. As Stuart Mill has proved, this is indeed one 

 of the great advantages of an extension of the suffrage. A man called 

 upon to vote is naturally raised from the sphere of personal to that of 

 general interests. He will read, discuss, and endeavour to obtain in- 

 formation. Others will argue with him, try to change his opinions, 

 and he will himself realize that he has a certain importance of his own, 

 that he has a word to say in the direction of public affairs. The ele- 

 vating influence of this sentiment over French, and still more over 

 Swiss, citizens is remarkable. 



It is perfectly true that, for political and social reforms to be pro- 

 ductive of fruits, the society into which they are introduced must be 

 in a sufficiently advanced condition to be able to understand and apply 

 them, but it must not be forgotten that improved institutions make 

 better men. 



Go to Norway ; crimes are hardly known there. In the country 

 people never close their doors at night, locks and bolts are scarcely 

 known, and there are no robberies ; probably, first, because the people 

 are moral and religious, but certainly, also, because property is very 

 equally divided. None live in opulence and none in absolute beggary, 

 and certainly misery and degradation, which often results from misery, 

 are the causes of the great majority of crimes. 



The rich financier, Helvetius, wrote, very truly, that, if every citi- 

 zen were an owner of property, the general tone of the nation would 

 be conservative, but if the majority have nothing, robbery then be- 

 comes the general aim. ("De l'Homme," sect. vi. chap, vii.) 



In conclusion, let us try to go to the root of the matter. Two sys- 

 tems are suggested as cures for the evils under which society is suf- 

 fering. On the one hand, it may be said, in accordance with the 

 doctrines of Christianity and socialism, that these evils are the conse- 

 quences of men's perversity and selfishness, and that it behoves charity 

 and fraternity to remedy them. We must do our best to assist our 

 unfortunate brethren. But how ? By trying, Christ tells us, to imi- 



