DEMOCRACY

A Series of Optimistic Essays

on the Natural Laws of

Human Society

THIRD EDITION

By

LOUIS F. POST

INDIANAPOLIS

THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

TO THE MEMORY OF

HENRY

GEORGE

PRECEPTOR AND FRIEND

a Philosopher who profoundly explored the principles of social life for very love of mankind, a Political Economist who scientifically traced economic laws to their roots in the moral law, a popular Leader who quailed before no moral wrong, a devoted Champion whose faith was grounded in moral right, a constructive Statesman who saw in the

Association in equality is the law of progress. Association frees mental power for expenditure in improvement, and equality, or justice, or freedomfor the terms here signify the same thing, the recognition of the moral law-prevents the dissipation of this power in fruitless struggles. Here is the law of progress, which will explain all diversities, all advances, all halts, and retrogressions.— HENRY GEORGE, in "Progress and Poverty," Ch. III. of Book X.

The law of human progress, what is it but the moral law? Just as social adjustments promote justice, just as they acknowledge the equality of right between man and man, just as they insure to each the perfect liberty which is bounded only by the equal liberty of every other, must civilization advance. Just as they fail in this, must advancing civilization come to a halt and recede.-"Progress and Poverty," same chapter.