7 6z THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



environment and the complete soundness and efficiency of that indi- 

 vidual. In the struggle for existence, where all the conditions for suc- 

 cessful and vigorous life have unavoidably been present in poorest de- 

 gree, it inevitably follows that competition with more vigorous minds 

 and bodies must result in hopeless defeat. Hence the absurdity of most 

 of the ideas advanced for the relief of social wrongs. Appeals are being 

 continually made to Government to remedy this unfortunate state of 

 affairs. But Government can not help or prevent the operation of 

 natural law. These laws of Nature have been permanently established 

 by the Deity, and no set of men acting temporarily as figure-heads of 

 society can alter their operation. Human life, to be satisfactory, must 

 be conducted according to a knowledge and in conformity with these 

 laws. All that Government can do and should do is to strive to furnish 

 and insist upon the most favorable natural conditions or environment 

 possible for the people — in other words, give them the best chance. 

 % Beyond this, nothing can be done by Government. It can not alter 

 a man's ancestors. The Scriptures, as well as the state, tell us to 

 work out our own salvation. 



No altered laws will compensate for defective knowledge or will- 

 power in the regulation of human affairs. A man or a sect with a 

 panacea is always popular. It is disagreeable to face the fact that the 

 causes of most of the ills of life are complex and often difficult of re- 

 moval. Universal specifics are thus numerous. The statement that 

 people like to be humbugged is as true of social as of physical ills. 

 They shift from one to another of the many quacks who can point to 

 a single and sure road out of all their troubles. Two leading theories 

 have been advanced to reorganize society — socialism and communism. 

 As a sentiment, socialism is in keeping with the highest conception of 

 the relation of man to man ; as an organization, it is the enemy of 

 society, since it is not in correlation with the present structure and 

 development of human nature. The underlying sentiment of socialism 

 claims that every man should have a fair opportunity to make a com- 

 fortable living and a chance to develop what is best in himself and 

 family. At present this is impossible in many cases. It will continue 

 to be impossible until the weak can be strengthened by more favor- 

 able environment for a more efficient struggle in life. 



Communism recognizes the evils resulting from the fearfully un- 

 equal distribution of wealth, and would force a general division. As 

 human nature is now constituted, this is an idle conception. The 

 wealth that is universally distributed and equalized to-day will to- 

 morrow be again in the hands of the few. Legislators can not prevent 

 this unerring economic law due to fundamental differences in men's 

 development and equipment. Beer-garden philosophers would bring 

 everybody to a level — the lowest level — well exemplified in themselves. 

 In the different strata of society, if men could only be leveled from 

 below up in physical and mental weakness and inefficiency; from above 



