106 The Evolution of the State. 



Let us not forget that the development of the State is 

 but the evolution of associated manhood. It finds its most 

 faithful prototype in the growth of a man. An infant is 

 lying snug in the cradle. The air is carefully tempered to 

 its feeble powers. It breathes the environment of a pure 

 and happy household. It comes to youth and early man- 

 hood un vexed by any sombre view of nature, or the world 

 about it. From within as from without, come only chaste 

 thoughts of love and duty and the genial ways of sacred 

 fellowship. Manhood is still attended with serene sur- 

 roundings. The robust work of active life is carried for- 

 ward with amazing energy and success ; the Avindows of 

 the man's mature reflection are never shut to the white- 

 winged messenger of honor, truth and love. His life is 

 radiant with shining deeds of helpfulness to others, and, 

 waking or sleeping, no evil thoughts intrude upon his pres- 

 ence. He is honest, faithful, kind, affectionate and pure 

 as if by instinct. And when, at last, he falls into his final 

 slumber, the estimate which men make of him is full of 

 credit and renown. 



What is it that has made this man what he is ? He has 

 walked his pleasant way of life, surrounded by the same 

 great limitations as his fellows. For him no special stars 

 have shone, no different sea has broken on the shore, no 

 special forests waved their branches. Yet, to the making 

 of his manhood, have contributed all the events of all the 

 human lives which have preceded him. All deeds of death- 

 less valor, all stainless lives of heroes in the past, all 

 lowly suffering of humble men and women in the poor 

 places of the world, all victories and achievements of the 

 great in the luxurious halls of power, the joy and suffering 

 of the rudest inhabitants of an African jungle, have helped 

 to make possible for him this perfect human life, and he 

 has inherited all i)recious thoughts of all noble souls that 

 have ever lived. 



Now, the State is Init the outgrowth of all human devel- 

 opment. To its present condition, all the men and women 

 of the past have contributed. Their personal gifts and 

 attainments, their individual environments, liave entered 

 into and shaped the structure of government as it now 

 exists. If then, we may not comprehend the subtle influ- 

 ences that contrive for us a perfect man, how shall we be 

 able to determine the real conditions of a State under the 



