Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/768

 752 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

organisms, the absence of the genetic principle under conditions very similar to others which are fruitful may sometimes baffle explanation. The directive spirit may operate within limits for the creation of this spirit, and its peculiar development may to some extent be influenced by determinate culture forces. But it is all-important to understand that a social organism, whether it assumes the form of a body politic or a social gathering, is not made, but born ; that it is subject to the laws of growth and decay; that it is subject to disease and death. This view will impress the reformer with a proper conservatism. If he conceives of the municipality as a mechanism, he draws plans for its modi- fication — for its rebuilding, with mathematical decision. He proceeds to execute the plans with a tape-line, hammer, and saw. If the municipality is an organism, such heroic treatment must subject it to a terrible shock without producing any good results, if it does not utterly destroy its life. On the other hand, if the municipality is considered as an organism, the reformer pro- ceeds with great caution and circumspection. The treatment must proceed upon a thorough knowledge of the physiology, anatomy, and hygienic laws of the organism. It must not under- take more than to stimulate the growth and educate the life of the organism, and it must be informed as to the character and limitations of its life-principle.

When the practical reformer understands the organic nature of the municipality, he will soon discover that the vital principle is extremely weak in American cities. In this fact he will dis- cover the source of such organic weaknesses as dishonest munici- pal governments and incompetent municipal executives. If the municipality were a simple mechanism, its strength and honesty would be determined by the vigor and integrity of the individuals who constitute its substance. The individuals of our cities would average well alongside the people of the most splendid cities of Europe. There are other conditions besides people which deter- mine the vital force of the city.

To understand why the municipal spirit is weak in America we need only recount a few of our determining conditions. We recall first that the genesis of cities in America consisted of