128 SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SCIENCE AND LIFE. 



merely applicable to those forms of government that are 

 called free, but to all forms of government. More than 

 ever, no matter by what name it may be called, govern- 

 ment rests upon the consent of the governed ; and the 

 willing and hearty consent of the governed cannot be 

 obtained, if the government that seeks it, is in league 

 with injustice. 



Justice means that kind of legislation that recognizes 

 and provides for the equal rights of all ; not legislation 

 for privileged classes, by which a few are benefited at 

 the expense of the many; but a legislation that makes no 

 envious distinctions and that therefore can excite neither 

 envy nor hatred among those who are affected by it. 

 This is the direction that governments must take, if they 

 approach nearer and nearer to perfection. 



A great self-governing society can have no other se- 

 cure foundation than this ; since in it there is no central, 

 disciplined, irresistible force that can compel obedience. 

 The obedience is voluntary and is based upon mutual 

 benefit. If, by sinister influences, those benefits are un- 

 equally distributed, if they foster a selfish greed, whether 

 of money or power or anything else, then injustice be- 

 comes predominate and the cohesion of that society is 

 inevitably loosened. 



Now this establishment of justice is a difficult thing. 

 The selfish passions of men are strong — strong even in 

 their gradual decline. And since the gratification of our 

 selfish instincts, if freely indulged in, must often run 

 counter to justice, every agency should be encouraged to 

 repress their gratification, when this gratification is at 

 variance with the public good. 



There are no qualities of mind or of character more 

 sure to aid in accomplishing this desired result than 

 those that are fostered by the spirit of science. Candor, 

 openness of mind, reverence for truth, discernment, the 

 power of application and of logical reasoning, must cer- 



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