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the mechanistic calculus of the new order； brought into bearing
by the mechanical industry and material science。 This may all be
an untoward and distasteful turn of circumstances； but there is
no gain of tranquillity to be got from ignoring it。
So it comes about that； increasingly； throughout broad
classes in these industrial countries there is coming to be
visible a lack of respect and affection for the vested interests；
whether of business or of privilege； and it rises to the pitch of
distrust and plain disallowance among those peoples on whom the
preconceptions of the eighteenth century sit more lightly and
loosely。 It still is all vague and shifty。 So much so that the
guardians of law and order are still persuaded that they 〃have
the situation in hand。〃 But the popular feeling of incongruity
and uselessness in the current run of law and custom under the
rule of these timeworn preconceptions is visibly gaining ground
and gathering consistency； even in so well ordered a republic as
America。 A cleavage of sentiment is beginning to run between the
vested interests and the variegated mass of the common lot。； and
increasingly the common man is growing apathetic； or even
impervious； to appeals grounded on these timeworn preconceptions
of equity and good usage。
The fact of such a cleavage； as well as the existence of any
ground for it； is painstakingly denied by the spokesmen of the
vested interests； and in support of that comfortable delusion
they will cite the exemplary fashion in which certain
monopolistic labor organisations 〃stand pat；〃 It is true； such a
quasi…vested interest of the A。 F。 of L。； which unbidden assumes
to speak for the common man； can doubtless be counted on to
〃stand pat〃 on that system of imponderables in which its vested
perquisites reside。 So also the kept classes； and their stewards
among the keepers of law and custom； are inflexibly content to
let well enough alone。 They can be counted on to see nothing more
to the point than a stupidly subversive rapacity in that
loosening of the bonds of convention that so makes light of the
sacred rights of vested interest。 Interested motives may count
for something on both sides； but it is also true that the kept
classes and the businesslike managers of the vested interests；
whose place in the economy of nature it is to make money by
conforming to the received law and custom； have not in the same
degree undergone the shattering discipline of the New Order。 They
are； therefore； still to be found standing blamelessly on the
stable principles of the Modern Point of View。
But a large fraction of the people in the industrial
countries is visibly growing uneasy under these principles as
they work out under existing circumstances。 So； e。g。； it is
evident that the common man within the United Kingdom； in so far
as the Labor Party is his accredited spokesman； is increasingly
restive under the state of 〃things as they are；〃 and it is
scarcely less evident that he finds his abiding grievance in the
Vested Interests and that system of law and custom which
cherishes them。 And these men； as well as their like in other
countries； are still in an unsettled state of advance to
positions more definitely at variance with the received law and
custom。 In some instances； and indeed in more or less massive
formation； this movement of dissent has already reached the limit
of tolerance and has found itself sharply checked by the
constituted keepers of law and custom。
It is perhaps not unwarranted to count the I。 W。 W。 as such a
vanguard of dissent； in spite of the slight consistency and the
exuberance of its movements。 After all； these and their like；
here and in other countries are an element of appreciable weight
in the population。 They are also increasingly numerous； in spite
of well…conceived repressive measures； and they appear to grow
increasingly sure。 And it will not do to lose sight of the
presumption that； while they may be gravely in the wrong； they
are likely not to be far out of touch with the undistinguished
mass of the common sort who still continue to live within the
law。 It should seem likely that the peculiar moral and
intellectual bent which marks them as 〃undesirable citizens〃
will； all the while； be found to run closer to that of the common
man than the corresponding bent of the law…abiding beneficiaries
under the existing system。
Vaguely； perhaps； and with a picturesque irresponsibility；
these and their like are talking and thinking at cross…purposes
with the principles of free bargain and self…help。 There is
reason to believe that to their own thinking； when cast in the
terms in which they conceive these things； their notions of
reasonable human intercourse are not equally fantastic and
inconclusive。 So； there is the dread word。 Syndicalism； which is
quite properly unintelligible to the kept classes and the adepts
of corporation finance； and which has no definable meaning within
the constituent principles of the eighteenth century。 But the
notion of it seems to come easy； by mere lapse of habit； to these
others in whom the discipline of the New Order has begun to
displace the preconceptions of the eighteenth century。
Then there are； in this country； the agrarian syndicalists；
in the shape of the Nonpartisan League； large； loose； animated；
and untidy； but sure of itself in its settled disallowance of the
Vested Interests； and fast passing the limit of tolerance in its
inattention to the timeworn principles of equity。 How serious is
the moral dereliction and the subversive stupidity of these
agrarian syndicalists； in the eyes of those who still hold fast
to the eighteenth century； may be gathered from the animation of
the business community； the commercial clubs； the Rotarians； and
the traveling salesmen； in any glace where the League raises its
untidy head。 And as if advisedly to complete the case； these
agrarians； as well as their running…mates in the industrial
centers and along the open road； are found to be slack in respect
of their national spirit。 So； at least； it is said by those who
are interested to know。
It is not that these and their like are ready with 〃a
satisfactory constructive program；〃 such as the people of the
uplift require to be shown before they will believe that things
are due to change。 It is something of the simpler and cruder
sort； such as history is full of； to the effect that whenever and
so far as the time…worn rules no longer fit the new material
circumstances they presently fail to carry conviction as they
once did。 Such wear and tear of institutions is unavoidable where
circumstances change； and it is through the altered personal
equation of those elements of the population which are most
directly exposed to the changing circumstances that the wear and
tear of institutions may be expected to take effect。 To these
untidy creatures of the New Order common honesty appears to mean
vaguely something else； perhaps something more exacting； than
what was 〃nominated in the bond〃 at the time when the free
bargain and self…help were written into the moral constitution of
Christendom by the handicraft industry and the petty trade。 And
why should it not？
The End