The Anarchistic Method. 313 



orately proved that, whetlier government is a ^^ necessary 

 evil" or not, it is necessaribj evil as at present constituted 

 anywhere in the world. 



It follows, then, that Anarchists desire a cessation of 

 military government. It would not, however, convey the 

 right idea to say that they wish to destroy the government. 

 They desire that society should grow away from the 

 necessity for government by physical force by the gradual 

 and general acceptance of scientific jirinciples of Sociology. 

 The Anarchistic method of regenerating society, therefore, 

 is that of educating the people in scientific principles of 

 social co-operation or mutuality ; it is that of propaganda, 

 of calling the attention of the people to facts widely 

 observed and logically collated; of doing just Avhat I am 

 doing at this moment. They understand that all existing 

 governments are the expression of the will of the people. 

 Russia is ruled by a Czar because most of the people of 

 Russia believe that is the best form of government for them. 

 Public opinion prevails in Russia without the ballot as 

 effectually as with us through the ballot. ]\Iilitary protec- 

 tion of social parasites prevails in this country because 

 most of our peoi)le believe that the monopoly of vacant 

 land is right and that our present money system is just and 

 fair, precisely as they once believed that chattel slavery 

 Avas a divine institution. Most of our people are firm 

 believers in the righteousness of rent, interest and profits, 

 and the large owners of real-estate and holders of govern- 

 ment-bonds are commonly believed to come by their money 

 honestly and fairly. They are not popularly regarded as 

 monopolists who increase their riches by simply appropri- 

 ating what others j^roduce. "While such beliefs exist society 

 will remain very much as it is. Nothing can bring it into 

 Anarchistic arrangement but a general recognition of the 

 essential injustice of all wealth-getting except by wealth 

 producing. Anarchists, for the present, therefore, have 

 nothing rational to do but to clarify their own ideas, 

 develop their science and teach their principles. 



I have already explained why it would be absurd for 

 them to wage war for their principles. They know that 

 nothing is ever settled by being fought out ; all right 

 consummations must be thought out. ]\Iany Anarchists 

 think, also, that it would be absurd for them to resort to 

 political methods. A ballot means a bullet. The decision 



