A REJOINDER 165 



that any such moral could be drawn. Conversely, 

 the very opposite doctrine is impliedly taught. I 

 have advocated that the fit should enjoy the benefits 

 of their fitness. Now under civilisation what is 

 fitness ? It is the possession of that degree of capa- 

 city, honour, and morality which makes a man a 

 useful member of his community. No man who 

 becomes a burden upon others, except upon his own 

 family, can fall within such a category. Now who 

 made the main drainage system possible ? Assuredly 

 not a Government ; equally assuredly not sentimental 

 considerations ; nor free education ; nor medical 

 inspection of elementary national school children ; 

 nor free feeding of the children whose parents spend 

 the money which should have provided their dinners 

 upon beer and tobacco for themselves ; nor the 

 workhouses and infirmaries. None of these things, 

 all of which are institutions for the weak and defective, 

 and the civic lame and halt, built the main drainage 

 system. That was essentially the product of the 

 fittest intelligences and the highest organising capa- 

 cities of a people left free to enjoy the fruits of their 

 labours. It was work undertaken by the fit for the 

 benefit of the fit. That such work should continue 

 and such capable citizens be encouraged to work, 

 and not discouraged through the legal robbery of 

 the products of their fitness, which they are now 

 experiencing, is precisely what I have been urging. 

 With regard to the Metropolitan Police, very 

 much the same considerations apply. This is an 

 institution organised by the fit for the protection 



