Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 1.djvu/422

410 society, we are anticipating problems of social order, and proposing solutions, instead of being satisfied to explain solutions after the centuries have worked them out. We are learning to formulate what we want as freely in civics as in mechanics. We are learning to set ourselves in as businesslike fashion in the one field as in the other to the task of getting our wants supplied. Better than all, some of the choice and master spirits of our age are showing by word and deed that in these tasks of peace there is service to be rendered and renown to be won not less splendid than the victories and laurels of war. We are already within the line of operations of a campaign for human improvement. The end will not be till every toiler with hand or brain has secured social guarantee of more secure industrial status. The coming lot of the capable and faithful laborer will be as superior to his present condition of industrial dependence and insecurity as the political status of citizens in a democratic republic is to that of the unprivileged class in ancient oligarchies. I calculate confidently upon progressive public absorption of corporate and monopolistic advantages as a certain incident of this glorious gain.