"Do not imagine that one class
is to be enriched by impoverishing others; instead of opposing
the formation of private fortunes, strive to increase the number
of capitalists and proprietors; in like manner, instead of lowering
public functions to bring them within the reach of incapacity,
aim at drawing from the bosom of society all its inherent capacities,
and at pressing them into the service of the State; in a word,
let yo1n· establishment of social equality consist, not
in forbidding natural superiorities to assert themselves, or in
forcing them down to the level of the general mediocrity ; but,
on the contrary, in favouring the manifestation and development
of everything in the masses which is strong enough to rise above
this level."
To improve the condition of the people is the most praise - worthy
object of a man's life. To have done something that will keep
alive " hope " amongst the toilers, " to recall
the stragglers, refresh the outworn, praise and re-inspire the
brave," is a grand ideal, based on the resolve "not
without action to die fruitless." Once more, as happens in
crises of history, rich and poor have met. " Scientific charity,"
or the system which aims at creating respectability by methods
of relief, has come to the judgment and has been found wanting.
Societies which helped the poor by gifts, made paupers ; churches
which would have saved them by preaching, made hypocrites ; and
the crowning work of scientific charity is the working man too
thrifty to pet his children and too respectable to be happy, those
who have worked hardest at planning relief and bringing to a focus
the forces of charity, those who have sacrificed themselves to
stop the demoralizing out - relief and restore to the people the
spirit of self-reliance, will be
