hemselves. Every immigrant of those days had come from what Freeman
calls "overgoverned" countries. They escaped from highly organized
social constraints to have their fling on a continent as illimitable in
extent as it was in the prizes which its natural resources offered. That
such a large proportion of the strong lived this free border-life
through the entire century has resulted in making a standard of
individualistic action almost dominant in the community.

There is, first, this natural history of extreme individualistic habits
and of their reactions on our whole national life. There is, further,
the almost universal concentration on wealth-production as a means of
winning what average men most crave in this world. What the strong of
any race work for is not, ultimately, money, it is social power. This
power has many symbols in a monarchy. There are titles and decorations
for which armies of able men will do hard public service for years. This
same passion is as lively in the United States as in Germany, but we
exclude the symbols. Wealth everywhere gives power, but with us it is
almost the only symbol that has wide and practical recognition. This
passion, working in a vigorous people upon the resources which the
United States offers, has intensified the competitive struggle in
industry to a degree hitherto unknown in the world. This struggle has
absorbed the thought and strength of the people to an extent without
known parallel.

It is the magnitude and stress of this competition that have bent and
subdued politics to business ends. The engendered business rivalries in
this game develop qualities that are indifferent to laws.

The last ten years of investigation have disclosed one further reason
for heedlessness of law. The chances of promotion among the abler and
more ambitious young men in the service of large concerns are known to
depend on the fact of a good showing in their departments. Can they keep
down expenses? Can they enlarge and maintain sales? These have been the
supreme tests for rapid and sure promotion. When these are done, few
questions are asked by manager or director. Among the largest interests
in this country, and among all interests that have to do with franchises
and legislation, skill to evade laws may have the highest value in a
fight against competitors. A magnate recently accused of law-breaking
denies it roundly, and it may be with honesty. When the evidence of
long-practiced frauds