POSTLUDE I/I 



"The story of ancient Israel tells how, in the old days of 

 barbarian justice, the "city of refuge" arose. The law of an 

 eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was still in vogue; 

 but if an offender against his neighbor could run fast 

 enough to reach certain designated places known as cities 

 of refuge, he could lay claim to his life, at least till his case 

 could be examined on its merits. 



"Farming as an exclusive business, a full means of liveli- 

 hood, has collapsed. Talk of 'back to the farms/ in this 

 meaning, is in view of the condition of the farmers, the 

 sheerest nonsense, almost a crime. Laboring as an exclu- 

 sive means of livelihood has also collapsed. The city laborer, 

 wholly dependent on a job, is of all men most precariously 

 placed. Who, then, is for the moment safe and secure? The 

 nearest to it is this home and acres-owning family in be- 

 tween, which combines the two. It is the only city of eco- 

 nomic refuge anywhere in sight. Till industry and agricul- 

 ture can both, by a growth in wisdom, be made safe for 

 democracy, this half way place of refuge, the combination 

 of the two gives challenge to our thought." 



