CHAPTER XXI 



While some may think him quite enchanting, 

 Heed not the politician's senseless ranting; 



Down with his throne ! 

 In your sturdy ranks are statesmen true 

 Who'd see that you received what's justly due. 

 Bring them forward, as you surely should do — 



Have rulers of your own ! 



Much is said about the dangers of a strong gov- 

 ernment. But surely no one will deny that the gov- 

 ernment ought, at least, to be stronger than any 

 citizen or combination of citizens. The power of all 

 must be stronger than the power of less than all. 

 Otherwise we shall have the rule of the many by the 

 few, which is abhorrent to American ideas. So we 

 shall have a government strong enough to prevent 

 one man from injuring another. And it will make 

 no difference how rich and powerful the would-be 

 injurer is. In no other way than this can justice and 

 equity be secured. The government must first itself 

 be just, and then it must, standing above and outside 

 of all classes and cliques, impose absolute justice 

 upon all. We all know that weak governments can 

 not do tli is. A feeble ruler is always, and of necessity 

 must be, an unjust and oppressive ruler. In order 



167 



