722 Dynamic Theory. 



the individual good by means of the common good, are expected of all. 

 In some communities, both of lower animals and of men, the drones, 

 superannuated and enfeebled, or otherwise useless members, are killed 

 off. The killing of the useless males in the bee-hive, is well known. 

 A disabled wolf is dispatched and devoured by his comrades. In Pat- 

 agonia, when provisions are scarce, the community is reduced by killing 

 off some of the superannuated old women, rather than by killing the 

 dogs, who are regarded as the more useful to the society. In Caucasia, 

 when supernumerary female infants are born, they are quietly eliminated 

 by means of a little mud stuffed into their mouths. 



The crystallized customs and habits of the members of the society as 

 they relate to each other, constitute such ethical or moral code as they 

 possess. These are liable to more or less change, which circumstances 

 will enforce from time to time, and they will often be violated and over- 

 ridden by the more powerful or more violent members. Whatever ob- 

 servances of a moral kind there may be between individuals of such 

 community, they are not applicable to any relationships outside of that 

 community. At first, all outside of the community are the natural en- 

 emies and natural objects of plunder to those inside of it, and have no 

 rights which the} 7 are bound to respect. The boundaries of the society 

 in the course of social development, tend to expand. The more vital 

 and important of the observances regulating the social life, are gradu- 

 ally extended, so as to embrace larger numbers. Beginning with the 

 family, the offices and sentiment of mutuality extend first to other fam- 

 ilies, whereby tribes are formed. Next, they are extended from a tribe 

 to its neighbor tribes, by which states are formed, then further exten- 

 sions consolidate states into nations, and nations into empires. Amongst 

 civilized men, nations and empires now form a family for certain ends, 

 and there are certain rules of conduct which are acknowledged as bind- 

 ing on all men. Thus, if a man commits a murder and escapes to an- 

 other nation, he is extradited, and returned for punishment. Thus, 

 each nation renounces the right of its citizens to murder the people of 

 other nations. The right to certain kinds of robbery and plunder is 

 also renounced by most civilized people. 



But the very civilization which operates to extend the range of moral 

 obligation and opportunity, also extends the opportunity for all other 

 sorts of combination. All moral considerations, as well as the civil 

 code, do, and always must, reserve to the individual certain rights of 

 self-seeking and self -promotion. And now it is found that of these resi- 

 dual selfish ends many can be accomplished better by association and 

 combination. Consequently, we have in commercial and manufacturing 

 enterprises, great corporations, monopolies, rings, combinations and 

 trusts. The tendency of these rings is toward constant enlargement, 



