Workmen, certainly those who were on board with me,
I found wanting in this quality or habit of the mind. They did not
perceive relations, but leaped to a so-called cause, and thought the
problem settled. Thus the cause of everything in England was the
form of government, and the cure for all evils was, by consequence, a
revolution. It is surprising how many of them said this, and that
none should have had a definite thought in his head as he said it.
Some hated the Church because they disagreed with it; some hated Lord
Beaconsfield because of war and taxes; all hated the masters,
possibly with reason. But these failings were not at the root of the
matter; the true reasoning of their souls ran thus - I have not got
on; I ought to have got on; if there was a revolution I should get
on. How? They had no idea. Why? Because - because - well, look at
America!
To be politically blind is no distinction; we are all so, if you come
to that. At bottom, as it seems to me, there is but one question in
modern home politics, though it appears in many shapes, and that is
the question of money; and but one political remedy, that the people
should grow wiser and better.
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