The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-14
The Laws Of Social Equilibrium-The Wri-
tings Of Herbert Spencer


Very few writer's upon metaphysical topics
have so rapidly gained for themselves wide
circle of appreciative readers as Mr.. Herbert
Spencer. The volume before us completes the
series Of miscellaneous works offered by his
American publishers. Though the last issued
here, it is nevertheless the earliest work of his
given to the public; and in his preface to the
American edition he expressly requests that it
may not be taken as literal expression of his
present views. ''The general theory which it
enuncates has undergone in his mind considera-
bic further development and some accompany
ing notifications; so that, though he adheres to
the leading princip pies set forth, he is not pre-
pared to abide by all the detailed applications of
them" Despite the somewhat apologize tone
which the author here assumes, we question
whether the present volume is not more certain
of widespread popular acceptance than any
of those which have preceded it among us. A
work at once so scientific in its spirit and method
and so familiar in style and treatment would be
difficult to find, and required for its production
such seemingly contradictory qualifications as
are seldom exhibited by one man. To all how
ever who are familiar with Mr. Spencer's other
works it will be matter of no surprise that the
author of First Principles" of the Essays, ,
and " Illustrations of Human Progress, Z"
as well as of the most profound
practical and sagacious work on Educa-
ton which has appeared in our time, should
combine these unusual requisites. For compre
hensiveness of view, for vigorous grasp of
subject, for that clearness of analytical power
which enables him to separate what is essential
from what is accidental in it, for earnsstness and
originality united with a certain catholicity of
spirit, he has no superior among living writers.
His ideas on social questions are the ripened re
suits of comprehensive study, of lsborious
thought, keen observa of life, and great
closeness of reasoning; and they embody the
most advanced, liberal and philosophic views of
the problems Of our time, of the nature of
political institutions and of their fundamental
principles. 1t is, of course, impossible to COM
press a system Of ethics into the limiA of
newspaper article We can only cite few
specimens of his manner of thought and ex-
preston.
Admitting the correctness of the commonly
received idea that the object of social organiza-
tons is to secure the highest human happiness,
in other words the greatest good of the greatest
number, he proceeds to an investigation of the
principles which should guide US in seeking this
end. The first of these, the foundation of all
social PHILOSOPHERS, is that law of eternal equity
that ''every man should hare freedom to do all
that he acaIlsproUided he infringss not the equal
freedom of any other man." From this funda-
mental principle he educes with great clearness
and force those derivative laws which directly
result from it. The chapters on the Rights Of
Life and Personal Liberty, the Right to the Use
of the Earth, the Rights of Women, and the
Rights of Free Speech, will be found to contain
an unanswerable and exhaustive statement of
the principles involved in those questions. In
connection with this part of his subject the wri-
ter thus checks that natural spirit of selfshness
which is apt to warp and dwarf our ideas OF
social right and wrong.
SIT is one thing to hold that greatest happi-
ness is the creative purpose, and u quite differ
ent thing to hold that greatest happiness should
bs the immediate aim of man. 1t has been the
fatal error Of the expediency philosophers to
confound these positions. They have not OBJ
served that the truth has two sides, Divine side
and human side; and that it matters much to
us which we look at. Greatest Happiness and
Morality are the face and diverse of the same
TACT; what is written on the one surface beyond
our interpretation: what is written on the other
we may read easily enough
Mr.. s. holds with Guizot that SIT is a gross
delusion to believe in the sovereign power of
political machinery" Hebelieves that the world
is governed altogether too much, that there ia
too much meddling with affairs which might
better be left to arrange themselves. The pri-
mary duty of the state, to protect the rights of
individuals from infringement, being discharged,
the rest should be left to that mighty beneAcent
control which works out the destiny of the world
through slow but irresistible progress.
always toward perfection is the mighty
unconventional a complete development and
a more unmixed good; subordinatine in its
universally all petty irregularities and fallings
back, as the curvature Of the earth subordinates
mountains and valleys. Even in evils the stu
uent learns to recognize only struggling benefi-
oence: Above all, he is struck with the inherent
s;.,S,l gness Of things. and with the complex
Sasl p; = o. those principles by which every
i osn ny: remedied-princi1 les that show
s9e9ss auKe IN the self ad iustment Of plan
etarV pertnrbations, and in. The bsol;nc 81 a
ecra'0Aeo nnser-in the balancing of social avs
tens, and in tha increased sarst;- 800, -
blind man sear-in Ne adsntat;o, l 'sn . Va :
proos0e' 11N 'n' S~SJimataton of plant.
miration aud awe, be shall some u ms al
tapist get upon his legs and ten the d.,a red
he is going to put patch upon aatuiYSriu :, now
Is a man who, IN ING r--.aae Of al the Where