THE POLITICAL DANGER OF THE DAY.
[TO THE EDITOR. OF THB " SP ECTATOIC]
SIR,—The growth of political Socialism renders an apology unnecessary for troubling you on a matter which cannot be brought too prominently or too frequently before the public. The essential condition for the progress of a community is that the incentive to efficiency on the part of its individuals shall be of the strongest possible kind. This required incentive can only be supplied by a strict application of the principle that the earnings of each individual shall be securely preserved to him. The development of our system of justice has been governed by this principle, and its chief aim has been to prevent individuals from plundering one another, and to maintain intact for each whatever he has earned. But it is forgotten that the evil to the community is as great whether the plunderer be merely an individual member of society or society itself. In either case the
citizen is deprived of the fruit of his labours, and the result to him is the same. Year by year more legislation is proposed of which the effect is to draw upon the earnings of the efficient for the benefit of the inefficient. Year by year Parliament makes life harder for those whose labour benefits the State, and easier for those who are a drag upon it. In the supposed interests of the " majority," now one, now another section is victimised ; and the " liberty of the individual," through constant infringement, becomes little more than a phrase. The basis upon which our civilisation rests—the central fact which has guided its evolution from the condition of a mere savage horde to that of the greatest Empire of the world—is being sapped, and unless this is stayed we shall be led to the enervation which characterised the latter days of the Roman Empire, and which has heralded the decay of most of the great civilisations of the past. The British Constitution Association bas set itself the task of awakening the public conscience to this growing national peril, which is in danger of being overlooked in the clash of party politics. It appeals to members of all political parties who wish to uphold individual liberty as above defined to join in this work. Any one willing to help can do so by becoming a member or by contributing to its funds. The secretary will send full particulars of the Association, including the pro- gramme of a series of lectures to be delivered during the autumn, to any one who may wish to know more about its Work and methods.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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