It is all to be at the expense of feebler
people. That is a detestable ideal, because it is the gospel of
tyranny rather than the gospel of equality. It is obvious, too,
that such success depends upon a man being stronger than his
fellows, and is only made possible by shoving and hectoring, and
bullying the weak. The preaching of this violent gospel has done us
already grievous harm; it is this which has tended to depopulate
country districts, to make people averse to discharging all honest
subordinate tasks, to make men and women overvalue excitement and
amusement. The result of it is the lowest kind of democratic
sentiment, which says, "Every one is as good as every one else, and
I am a little better," and the jealous spirit, which says, "If I
cannot be prominent, I will do my best that no one else shall be."
Out of it develops the demon of municipal politics, which makes a
man strive for a place, in the hope being able to order things for
which others have to pay. It is this teaching which makes power
seem desirable for the sake of personal advantages, and with no
care for responsibility.
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