THE PROBLEM OF THE FUTURE 3I 



or decay, as it obeys or disobeys stern natural laws. 

 Evolution, selection, heredity, environment, differential 

 fertility, are not mere vague terms of biological science 

 having no application to human life. On their right 

 understanding depends the stability or collapse of human 

 society in general and of our nation in particular. In 1880 

 we talked about Darwinism and evolution as if they 

 had merely a theoretical bearing on our philosophical 

 and religious opinions ; thirty years later we are learning 

 that they have an immediate and intensive influence on 

 all phases of national welfare ; and as we learn it — we fear 

 for the future. If we can educate the working man to 

 appreciate that the legislation of nature is more mighty 

 than the legislation of the politician, then this League 

 will have more than fulfilled the hope of its Founder, 

 namely, that we should be apostles not of opinions but 

 of method ; with the knowledge of that truth will vanish 

 most of the errors and chimeras to which, as Seeley 

 recognized, our English politics are dangerously liable to 

 give credence. 



