Political Conditions. 393 



■with private rights, as -well as the idea of State rights in 

 opposition to federal power and authority — all these 

 characteristics of a democratic gOTernment are impedi- 

 ments to a concerted action and stable policy. 



That, in spite of these antagonistic interests, condi- 

 tions and doctrines, substantial progress toward estab- 

 lishing at least a federal forest policy has been made, is 

 due to the fact that the American, in spite of his reputa^ 

 tion as a materialistic, selfish opportunist, is really an 

 idealist; that he responds readily to patriotic appeals; 

 that, in spite of his rabid nationalism, he is willing to 

 learn from the experiences of other nations; that, indeed, 

 he is anxious to be educated. Finally, much credit is 

 due to the men who with single purpose devoted their 

 lives to the education of their fellow citizens in this 

 direction. 



It.must, to be sure, be added that remarkable changes 

 in the political attitude of the people have taken place 

 in the last 30 years since the propaganda of forestry 

 began; changes, partly perhaps induced by that propa- 

 ganda, which have aided this movement, and which, if 

 they persist, promise much for the future development 

 of forest policies. A decidedly paternalistic, if not so- 

 cialistic attitude, has lately been taken by the federal 

 government; and by skilful construction of the Consti- 

 tution as regards the right to regulate interstate rela- 

 tions, has led to an expansion of federal power in various 

 directions. A similar paternalistic attitude has devel- 

 oped in the legislatures of several States to a noticeable 

 degree. Even the judiciary has taken up this new 

 spirit, attd is ready to sanction interference with private 

 property tights to a degree wMch> a decade ago, wotild 



