Mr. Goschen dwelt particularly on the idea which pervades the
new Radical-Socialist group, that the wealth of the nation is a limited quantity which must be differently divided, if the poorer classes are to be benefited at all, whereas Mr. Goschen holds that the wealth of the nation is practically capable of indefinite increase, on condition, however, that all classes should work together,•and that class jealousies should not be allowed to ruin the prospect of its increase. In Mr. Goschen's belief, the share even of the poorest class of workers will be very much larger, if all classes thus co-operate, than it can be if the Socialistic Radicals succeed in laying hands on what they regard as the limited sum of which the national wealth consists, and reapportioning it on new principles. Just so the Socialistic Radicals are always preaching for Ireland that the wealth of the tenants can only be augmented by the plunder of the landlords ; yet, in truth, the wealth of the tenants will augment very much more surely and rapidly if the landlords can be made prosperous at the- same time. The great Con- servative principle is that no class can gain permanently unless all classes gain permanently; that the welfare of all classes in matters of property, as in all others, is bound up together.
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