Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/767

 A NEGLECTED PRINCIPLE IN CIVIC REFORM 75 1

which appeals to selfish individualism. It is scarcely conceiv- able, however, that such a condition could exist in any munici- pality including more than a handful of people. Where any considerable number of people are living in close proximity, the birth of the community spirit is almost inevitable — that is, a form of social organism is almost bound to come into being. There are, however, small villages and groups of houses where there is nothing more than a mechanical relationship existing between the families thus congregated, where there is no com- munity spirit, and no sort of organism.

This distinction between a mechanism and an organism may be further illustrated by any gathering of people for a purpose, or even without any purpose. Take the case of a political con- vention. The delegates are mechanically assembled — they are assembled through the machinery of party politics. The mechanical relationship may never merge into an organism. The speeches may be mechanical, according to pattern. The platform may be adopted and the candidates named all accord- ing to a prearranged program, or under the calculating manipu- lation of the boss. At any point in the proceedings, however, the mechanical relationship may have served to ignite a spirit of the occasion ; the occasion may become animated with a throb- bing, controlling life ; in which case it has become a living organism.

Or, take a more homely illustration of the principle — a din- ner party. Here the sensation is most painful if the organic spirit does not develop. If the spirit of conviviality does not rise above the board, if the guests are simply acting a dinner party and not realizing it, if the mechanical stiffness refuses to yield to the entreaties of comraderie, the hostess is in despair. If she is competent for such an ofifice, she institutes a search after the hostile elements — in her own want of tact, in any untoward remark, in the perso/ielle of the gathering. The consciousness of the organic nature of a proper dinner party would often prevent its failure.

Certain conditions, more or less determinate, but not abso- lutely, conduce to the birth of a social organism. As in animal