It Is Not The Business Of Government

As Mazzini Said ... It Is Around The Standard Of Duty Rather Than Around The Standard Of Self-interest That Men Must Rally To Win The Rights Of Man. And Herein May We See The Deep Philosophy Of Him Who Bade Men Love Their Neighbors As Themselves. In That Spirit, And In No Other, Is The Power To Solve Social Problems And Carry Civilization Onward.

Compare Society To A Boat. Her Progress Through The Water Will Not Depend Upon The Exertion Of Her Crew, But Upon The Exertion Devoted To Propelling Her. This Will Be Lessened By Any Expenditure Of Force In Fighting Among Themselves, Or In Pulling In Different Directions.

The Protection Of The Masses Has In All Times Been The Pretense Of Tyranny - The Plea Of Monarchy, Of Aristocracy, Of Special Privilege Of Every Kind. The Slave Owners Justified Slavery As Protecting The Slaves.

The March Of Invention Has Clothed Mankind With Powers Of Which A Century Ago The Boldest Imagination Could Not Have Dreamt.

It Is Not The Business Of Government To Make Men Virtuous Or Religious, Or To Preserve The Fool From The Consequences Of His Own Folly. Government Should Be Repressive No Further Than Is Necessary To Secure Liberty By Protecting The Equal Rights Of Each From Aggression On The Part Of Others, And The Moment Governmental Prohibitions Extend Beyond This Line They Are In Danger Of Defeating The Very Ends They Are Intended To Serve.