id Schwefel. "The life of society cannot be
put at the mercy of the rude and fickle masses. There must be a moral
order, willed and regulated by a supreme ruler, and binding upon every
man. This is plain."

"I agree with you, sir," said the millionaire. "Let us continue
building on Christian principles. As everybody knows, our civilization
has sprung from Christianity. If we tear down the altars and destroy
the seats from which lessons of Christian morality are taught,
confusion must inevitably follow. And I, gentlemen, have too exalted an
opinion of the German nation, of its earnest and religious spirit, to
believe that it can be ever induced to fall away completely from God
and his holy law. Infidelity is an unhealthy tendency of our times; it
is a pernicious superstition which sound sense and noble feeling will
ultimately triumph over. We will do well to continue advancing in
science, art, refinement, and industry, in true liberty and the right
understanding of truth; we will thus be making real progress, such
progress as I am proud to call myself a partisan of."

The chieftains maintained silence. Some nodded assent. Hans Shund gave
an angry bite to his pipe-stem, and puffed a heavy cloud of smoke
across the table.

"I have confidence in the enlightenment and good sense of our people,"
said he. "You have called modern progress 'a pernicious superstition
and an unhealthy tendency of the times,' Mr. Gerlach," turning towards
the millionaire with a bow. "I regret this view of yours."

"Which I have substantiated and proved," interrupted Gerlach.

"True, sir! Your proofs have been striking, and I do not feel myself
competent to refute them. But I can point you to something more
powerful than argument. Look at this scene; see these happy people
meeting and enjoying one another's society in most admirable harmony
and order. Is not this spectacle a beautiful illustration and
vindication of the moral spirit of progress?"

"These people are jubilant from the effect of beer, why shouldn't they
be? But, sir, a profound observer does not 'suffer himself to be
deceived by mere appearances.'"

An uproar and commotion at a distance interrupted the millionaire. At
the same instant a policeman approached out of breath.

"Your honor, the factorymen and the laborers are attacking one
another!"

"What are you raising such alarm for," said Hans Shund gruffly. "It is
only a small squabble, such as will occur everywhere in a cr