Chapter 29 - Page 2

that here, in your beloved Leaplow
itself, monikins consult their own interests; and this, after all,
is acting on the fundamental principle of the great European social-
stake system."

"Meaning that the goods of the world ought to be the test of
political power. By the sad confusion which exists among us, at this
moment, Sir John, you must perceive that we are not exactly under
the most salutary of all possible influences. I take it that the
great desideratum of society is to be governed by certain great
moral truths. The inferences and corollaries of these truths are
principles, which come of heaven. Now, agreeably to the monikin
dogmas, the love of money is 'of the earth, earthy'; and, at the
first blush, it would not seem to be quite safe to receive such an
inducement as the governing motive of one monikin, and, by a pretty
fair induction, it would seem to be equally unwise to admit it for a
good many. You will remember, also, that when none but the rich have
authority, they control not only their own property, but that of
others who have less. Your principle supposes, that in taking care
of his own, the elector of wealth must take care of what belongs to
the rest of the community; but our experience shows that a monikin
can be particularly careful of himself, and singularly negligent of
his neighbor. Therefore do we hold that money is a bad foundation
for power."

"You unsettle everything, brigadier, without finding a substitute."

"Simply because it is easy to unsettle everything and very difficult
to find substitutes. But, as respects the base of society, I merely
doubt the wisdom of setting up a qualification that we all know
depends on an unsound principle. I much fear, Sir John, that, so
long as monikins are monikins, we shall never be quite perfect; and
as to your social-stake system, I am of opinion that as society is
composed of all, it may be well to hear what all have to say about
its management."

"Many men, and, I dare say, many monikins, are not to be trusted
even with the management of their own concerns."

"Very true; but it does not follow that other men, or other
monikins, will lose sight of their own interests on this account, if
vested with the right to act as their substitutes. You have been
long enough a legislator, now, to have got some idea how difficult
it is to make even a direct and responsible representative respect
entirely the interests and wishes of his constituents; and the fact
will show you how little he will be likely to think of others, who
believes that he acts as their master and not as their servant."

"The amount of all this, brigadier, is that you have little faith in