rs one hundred thousand times above the average. It woul, be scandalous to discuss this sham qrigin of sc,cial inequality. It would be to be a dupe, almost an accomplice, to waste time over such hypocritical reasoning. But arguments of another kind are brought foJward, which h2.ve at least the merit of not being based upon a lie. The right of the strongest is.now evoked against social clai1'ns. Darwin's theory, which has lately made· its appearance in the scientific world, is believed to tell against us. And it is, in fact, the right of the strongest which triumphs when fortune is monopolised. He who is materially the fittest, the most wily, the tnQst favoured by birth, education, and friends; he who is best armed, and confronted by the feeblest foe, has the greatest chance of success; he is able better than the rest to erect a citadel, from the summit of wh;ch he may look down on his unfortunate brethren. Thus is determined the rude strnggle of conflicting egoisms. Formerly this blood-and-fire theory was not openly avowed; it would have appeared too violent, and honied words were preferable. .But the discoveries of science relative to the struggle between species for existence and the survival of the fittest, have permitted the advocates of force to withdraw from their mode of expression all that seemed too insolent. "See, they say, "it is an in'evitablc law l Thtl:s decrees the fate of mankind!" We ought to congratulate ourselves that the question is thus simplified, for it is so much the nearer to its solution. Force reigns, say the aJrncates of social inequality ! Yes, it is force which reigns! proclaims modern indust1y louder and louder in its brutal perfection. But may not the speech of economists and traders be taken up by revolutionists? The law of the strongest will not always and necessarily operate for the benefit of commerce. "Might surpasses right," said Bismarck, qnoting from many others; but it is possible to make ready for the day when might will be at the service of right. If it is true that ideas of solidarity are spreading ; if it is true that the conquests of science end by penetrating the lowest strata; if it is true that truth is becoming common property; if evolution towards justice is taking place, will not the workers, who have at once the right and the might, make use of both to bring about a revolution for the benefit of all? What can isolated individuals, however strong in money; intelligenci- >nd cunning. do agairist associated rn1tsses? B bi oteca G o B aoco
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