HOW OUR PUBLIC MEN MISS THE WAY 117 



lie left out of calculation the simple fact that before we could 

 become lords of manufacture we must iirst of all become lords 

 of the earth — and that we are a long way off that consummation 

 needs no emphasising,— and because we are not lords of the 

 earth we must obviously fail in compelling the nations to come 

 our way, to do as we do — to do, in fact, as we should like them 

 to do. 



That we have failed all along the line ; that our splendid 

 schemes and soaring aspirations after a unique position in the 

 history of the world have burst like airy bubbles, is, alas ! only 

 too visible to even the meanest intelligence. 



WiDESPKEAD Poverty instead of Universal Kiches 



Instead of universal riches and prosperity, we have reaped 

 widespread poverty and distress. Instead of becoming lords of 

 manufacture, our country is the common "dumping-ground" 

 for the manufactured wares of our foreign rivals. Instead of 

 good wages and general em]>loyment, there is " sweating " and 

 unemployment. Instead of homo industries supporting our own 

 people, they are obliged to seek work in Germany and else- 

 where. And, worst of all, instead of the Mother Country holding 

 out a helping hand to the best and readiest, the strongest and 

 fittest of her sons and daughters, they are obliged to leave the 

 land they love, and seek their bread in lands that are free from 

 these old worn-out ideas which have wrought such incalculable 

 harm to the British people. 



This is the central fact that runs right through the position 

 like the warp of a piece of cloth, and crosses and recrosses it 

 like the weft, and unless we pick up these threads and weave 

 tliem together in a practical manner, we shall never succeed in 

 doing good work. 



Governments, statesmen, publicists, and economists have all 

 missed the way, because for various reasons they have never 

 gathered up the right threads into their hands ; and it is cer- 

 tain that until they do so, and then dexterously manipulate the 

 shuttle, they ivlll continue to fail. 



What is wanted here is a broad, lofty conception of 

 Patriotism ; that noble feeling which will make a man get up 

 in his place in Parliament and declare boldly what is in his 

 heart, and not a narrow slavish adherence to party. 



We have now carried this part of our subject far enough 

 to show there is no indication that this all-absorbing question 

 has been understood by any or all of those who, providing 

 they could be made to see the gravity of the case, and 

 assuming that they would even then care to do so, have 



