compulsion, exclusion, distinction,
separation; while anarchy is freedom, union and love. Government is
based on egotism and fear, anarchy on fraternity. It is because we
divide ourselves into nations that we endure the oppression of
armaments; because we isolate ourselves as individuals that we invoke
the protection of laws. If I did not take what my brother needs I
should not fear that he would take it from me; if I did not shut myself
off from his want, I should not deem it less urgent than my own. All
governing persons are persons set apart. And therefore it is that
whether they will or no they are oppressors, or, at best, obstructors.
Shut off from the breath of popular instinct, which is the breath of
life, they cannot feel, and therefore cannot think, rightly. And, in
any case, how could they understand, even with the best will in the
world, the multifarious interests they are expected to control? A man
knows nothing but what he practises; and in every branch of work only
those are fitted to direct who are themselves the workers.
Intellectually, as well as morally, government is eternally bankrupt;
and what is called representative government is no better than any
other, for the governors are equally removed in sympathy and knowledge
from the governed. Nay, experience shows, if we would but admit it,
that under no system have the rulers been more incompetent and corrupt
than under this which we call democratic. Is not the very word
'politician' everywhere a term of reproach? Is not a government office
everywhere synonymous with incapacity and sloth? What a miserable
position is that of a Member of Parliament, compelled to give his vote
on innumerable questions of which he does not understand the rudiments,
and giving it at the dictation of party chiefs who themselves are
controlled by the blind and brainless mechanism of the caucus! The
people are the slaves of their representatives, the representatives of
their chiefs, and the chiefs of a conscienceless machine! And that is
the last word of governmental science! Oh, divine spirit of man, in
what chains have you bound yourself, and call it liberty, and clap your
hands!

"And then comes one and says, 'because you are free, tie yourself
tighter and tighter in your own bonds!' Are these hands not yours that
fasten the knots? Why then do you fear? Here is a limb free; fasten
it quick! Your head still turns; come, fix it in a vice! Now you are
fast