xxiv ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 441 



and temporarily useful but petty and tentative social 

 legislation, but rather that gradual reform of the political 

 machine to be completed, it is to be hoped, within the 

 next few years which will enable the most thoughtful and 

 able and honest among the manual workers to at once 

 turn the balance of political power, and, at no distant 

 period, to become the real and permanent rulers of the 

 country. The very idea of such a government will excite 

 a smile of derision or a groan of horror among the classes 

 who have hitherto blundered and plundered at their will, 

 and have thought they were heaven-inspired rulers. But 

 I feel sure that the workers will do very much better; 

 and, forming as they do the great majority of the people, 

 it is only bare justice that, after centuries of mis- 

 government by the idle and wealthy, they should have 

 their turn. The larger part of the invention that has 

 enriched the country has come from the workers ; much 

 of scientific discovery has also come from their ranks ; 

 and it is certain that, given equality of opportunity, they 

 would fully equal, in every high mental and moral 

 characteristic, the bluest blood in the nation. In the 

 organization of their trades-unions and co-operative 

 societies, no less than in their choice of the small body of 

 their fellow-workers who represent them in Parliament, 

 they show that they are in no way inferior in judgment 

 and in organizing power to the commercial, the literary, or 

 the wealthy classes. The way in which, during the past 

 few years, they have forced their very moderate claims 

 upon the notice of the public, have secured advocates in 

 the press and in Parliament, and have led both political 

 economists and politicians to accept measures which were 

 not long before scouted as utterly beyond the sphere of 

 practical politics, shows that they have already become a 

 power in the state. Looking forward, then, to a govern- 

 ment by workers, and largely in the interest of workers, at 

 a not distant date, I propose to set forth a few principles 

 and suggestions as to the course of legislation calculated 

 to abolish pauperism, poverty, and enforced idleness, and 

 thus lay the foundation for a true civilization which will 

 be beneficial to all. 



