1 This is the state of things ; what will be the issue? Will not the evolution which is tal6ng place in the minds of the workers, i.e. of the great masses, necessarily bring about a revolution; unless, indeed, the defenders of privilege yield with a good grace to the pressure from below 1 But history teaches us that they will do nothing of the sort. At first sight it would appear so natural that a good understanding should be established amongst men without a struggle. There is room for us all on the broad bosom of the earth ; it is rich enough to enable us_all to live in comfort. It can yield sufficient harvests to provide all with food ; it produces enough fibrous plants to supply all with clothing; it contains enough stone and clay for all to have houses. There is a place for each of the brethren at the banquet of life. Such is the simple economic fact. What does it matter? say some. The rich will squander at their pleasure as much of this wealth as suits them ; the middle-men, speculators and brokers of every description will manipulate the test ; the armies will destroy a great deal, and the mass of the people will have the scr11psthat remain. "The poor we shall have always with us," say the contented, quoting a remark which, according to them, fell from the lips of a God. We do not care whether their God wished some to be miserable or not. We will re-create the world on a different pattern I " No, there shall be no more poor I As all men need to be housed and clothed and warmed and fed, let all have what ·is necessary, and none be cold or hungry ! " The terrible Socialists have no need of a God to inspire these words ; they are human, that is enough. Thus two opposing societies exist amongst men. They are intermingled, variously allied here and there by the people who do not know their own minds, and advance only to retreat; but viewed from above, and taking no account of uncertain and indifferent individuals who are swayed hither and thither by fate like waves of the sea, it is certain that the actual world is divided into two camps, those who desire to maintain poverty, i.e. hunger for others, and those who demand comforts for all. The forces in these two camps seem at first sight very unequal. The supporters of existing society have boundless estates, incomes counted by hundreds of thousands, all the powers of the State, with its armies of officials, soldiers, policemen, Bibi oteca G no B13nco
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