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say was the more civilized condition — that of the country where the balance of advantage, as to the comforts and conveniences of life, is greatly in favor of the people with incomes below three hundred a year, or that of the country where it is greatly in favor of those with incomes above that sum?
Many people will be ready to give an answer to that question without the smallest hesitation.
They will say that they are, and that all of us ought to be, for the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
However, the question is not one which I feel bound now to discuss and answer.
Of course, if happiness and civilization consists in being plentifully supplied with the comforts and conveniences of life, the question presents little difficulty.
But I believe neither that happiness consists, merely or mainly, in being plentifully supplied with the comforts and conveniences of life, nor that civilization consists in being so supplied; therefore, I leave the question unanswered.
I prefer to seek for some other and better tests by which to try the civilization of the United States.
I have often insisted on the need of more equality in our own country, and on the mischiefs caused by inequality over here.
In the United States there is not our intense
Boston. De Wolfe, Fiske &c Co. 361 and 365 Washington Street. 1888.
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