190 The Morality of Nature 



worthy. That which changes too easily will have no perma- 

 nence, for it must be ready to change again. Such a course 

 is right for a barely established vagrant life, and for rapidly 

 evolving progress in new conditions. The march of a high 

 civilization must usually be measured and sure, and without 

 haste; and so even the methods of force, and of evil must 

 exist until not only the intelligent few, but the controlling 

 majorities, are convinced of their lesser value. They have 

 not only the power, but also the inherent right to exercise 

 that power, according to their own consciences and intellects, 

 in the working out of their own destinies. Their duty to a 

 better informed wisdom is only so much as that wisdom can 

 convince them of, and no more. Their change must be 

 accomplished by education and conviction; not by force or 

 even over persuasion. 



For this reason the actual condition of humanity at any 

 time is of less import than the trend and direction; and even 

 the velocity of movement is not to be considered without 

 reference to its moment, and weight, and permanence. The 

 goal is so far away that time is, as it always was, available 

 without limit. Progress continues. Disorder and war and 

 epidemics of crime do not arrest it. Despite all these con- 

 tradictory facts, and notwithstanding a seeming rejection of 

 religious precept, the world is advancing. 



The present stage of human civilization is visibly proceed- 

 ing in accord with this method of development. The rapid 

 growth of democracy evidences the ascendancy of the volun- 

 tary principle. It may be inferred that the principle which 

 inspires the higher successful conduct, is really established 

 as a law superimposed upon those previously constituted. It 



