THE SOCIALISTS OF THE CHAIR. 
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dencies of public opinion. The change has, indeed, been so 
profound that many of those who had risen up to fight the 
exclusive theory of the entirely beneficent action of. competi 
tion now feel obliged to attack the confidence, which is 
becoming more and more widespread, in the omnipotence of 
legislation and the State.” 
The new school is called to render great services. Neither 
the classical economy nor Socialism can serve as guide in the 
difficult work of bettering the condition of the labouring classes, 
and in gradually introducing a more equitable distribution of 
wealth. On the one hand, the orthodox economy, by persuad 
ing the ruling and well-to-do classes that the existing social order 
is as perfect as it can be, and that in any case unrestricted liberty 
will answer every need, gives them ground for denying that there 
is any social question, and induces them to reject as chimerical 
all aspirations towards a régime more conformable to justice. 
On the other hand, the scientific Socialism of St. Simon, of 
Marx, and of Lassalle has clearly pointed out the evils of 
modern society and the feebleness of all attempts at disputing 
their reality ; but when, going beyond criticism, these Socialists 
give utterance to their views of reform and reconstruction, they 
fail, because they do not take sufficient account of the teachings 
of history and the innate sentiments of humanity. Seeing in 
existing society nothing but evil, they are blindly optimistic as 
to the future. They do not sufficiently realize that, in order to 
arrive at a better order of things, the men who are called to 
establish and maintain it must themselves be made better, and 
that the first step is to purify and elevate current ideas as to 
duty and right. This is a work of long duration, reserved for 
the Socialism of the Chair. It will undertake it, armed with an 
accurate knowledge of the facts proved by history and statistics, 
and animated with the desire to aid in establishing amongst 
men that reign of justice and that kingdom of God, of which 
Plato caught a glimpse, and which the prophets of Israel and 
Jesus have announced to the world.