I
could not glow to see the room in which a statesman worked out the
details of a Bill for the extension of the franchise, or a
modification of the duties upon imports and exports, though I
respect the growing powers of democracy and the extinction of
privilege and monopoly; but these measures are dimmed and tainted
with intrigue and manoeuvre and statecraft. I do not deny their
importance, their worth, their nobleness. But not by committees and
legislation does humanity triumph. In the vanguard go the blessed
adventurous spirits that quicken the moral temperature, and uplift
the banner of simplicity and sincerity. The host marches heavily
behind, and the commissariat rolls grumbling in the rear of all;
and though my place may be with the work-a-day herd, I will send my
fancy afar among the leafy valleys and the far-off hills of hope.
But I would not here quarrel with the taste of any man. If a mortal
chooses to travel in search of comfortable rooms, new cookery and
wines, the livelier gossip of unknown people, in heaven's name let
him do so.
Pages:
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119