Towards democracy

474 Towards Democracy

coming down from remote centuries, and the time of Confucius, This vast population abides—the most stable and the most productive in the world.

And Government touches it but lightly—can touch it but lightly.

With its few officials, its scanty taxation (about half-a-crown per head), and with the extensive administration of justice and affairs by the clan and the family—tittle scope is left for Government.

The great equalized mass-population pursues its even and

accustomed way, nor pays attention to edicts and foreign

treaties, unless these commend themselves independently ;

Pays readier respect, in such matters, to the edicts and utterances of its literary men, and the deliberations of the Academy.

And religious theorizing touches it but lightly—ean touch it but lightly. ;

Established on the bedrock of actual life, and on the living unity and community of present, past, and future generations,

Each man stands bound already, and by the most powerful ties, to the social body-—nor needs the dreams and promises of heaven to reassure him.

And all are bound to the Earth.

Rendering back to it as a sacred duty every atom that the Earth supplies to them (not insensately sending it in sewers to

the sea),

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