SOCIALISM. 589 



produce by these new ruling classes, a widening separation 

 of them from the ruled, and a growing assumption of supe 

 rior rank. There must arise a new aristocracy for the sup 

 port of which the masses would toil; and which, being con 

 solidated, would wield a power far beyond that of any past 

 aristocracy. Let any one contemplate the doings of the re 

 cent Trade Union Congress (September, 1896), whence dele 

 gates from societies that had tolerated non-unionists were ex 

 pelled, whence reporters of papers having employe s not be 

 longing to printers unions were obliged to withdraw, and 

 where wholesale nationalization of property (which neces 

 sarily implies confiscation) was approved by four to one; 

 and then ask what scruples would restrain a bureaucracy 

 pervaded by this temper. 



Of course nothing will make socialists foresee any such 

 results. Just as the zealous adherent of a religious creed, 

 met by some fatal objection, feels certain that though he does 

 not see the answer yet a good answer is to be found; or just 

 as the lover to whom defects of his mistress are pointed out, 

 cannot be made calmly to consider what will result from 

 them in married life ; so the socialist, in love with his scheme, 

 will not entertain adverse criticisms, or gives no weight to 

 them if he does. Illustrations like those above given, accu 

 mulated no matter to what extent, will not convince him that 

 the forms of social organization are determined by men s 

 natures, and that only as their natures improve can the forms 

 become better. He will continue to hope that selfish men 

 may be so manipulated that they will behave unselfishly r 

 that the effects of goodness may be had without the goodness. 

 He has unwavering faith in a social alchemy which out of 

 ignoble natures will get noble actions. 



