PHYSICAL DEGENERATION OF THE PEOPLE 249 



through his own wrongdoing, he has brought about his 

 brother's degradation? 



Ask these mute milhons if they have brought this foul 

 thing on themselves by their own deliberate choice, and 

 how will they answer you? Shall we be able to show that 

 we have done our best to put them in that position 

 which would enable them to help themselves? 



Can we prove that we have taken that course in our 

 administration of their affairs that would encourage, 

 support and uplift them into such a position as would 

 enable them to live clean, wholesome lives, and afford 

 them a reasonable chance of attaining a fair share of the 

 good things of this life, and becoming respected citizens, 

 with a stake in their own country? No! a thousand 

 times, No! We have done none of these things, and we 

 know it. 



In God's name let us wipe out this foul stain on the 

 civilisation of a great Empire, and purge our souls of a 

 monstrous injustice. We have the means at hand, let us 

 use them. 



Let us recognise that in spite of all the humbug and 

 cant of this age, these millions are not represented to- 

 day in the councils of the Nation, and that they never 

 have been represented. They are voiceless as mutes and 

 as impotent as the withered limbs of a cripple. Let us 

 give them speech and motion, and start them on their 

 way to a better life and happier surroundings. Let us 

 infuse into their saddened lives a few bright beams of 

 hope, and develop those conditions which will enable 

 them to attain a higher standard of comfort, and a fair 

 modicum of content, prosperity and peace. 



