164 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



Let us have again plain living and high 

 thinking : the high thinking, at all events ; 

 for the plain living, fecund nature will 

 hardly permit us that, unless we are de 

 termined to have it whether or no. 



There is enough for us all and to spare, 

 if we want only the very best things ; and 

 we know at least this much of the secret 

 of the conversion of the world, that each 

 of us is the master of one life which can be 

 turned to a good account. 



I have been interested in the discussion 

 caused by Mr. Godkin s suggestion that edu 

 cated men distrust or regret universal suf 

 frage. My observation leads me to believe 

 that we are all, or most of us, more and 

 more inclined to think forms of govern 

 ment of comparatively small account. All 

 roads lead to Rome. Pretty nearly any 

 form of government will work well in good 

 hands ; and without good citizens the best 

 form which can be devised is valueless. 

 We have said many proud things of our 

 republicanism, and New York has trusted 

 its fortunes to &quot;the people.&quot; And what 

 are we having revealed to us to-day ? A 

 closely knit combination of the sworn offi 

 cial conservators of the peace with the 

 dregs of society, to prey upon and plun- 



