The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-07-16

! we wear is the incarnated thought Of
many generations and shows the activ-
| ity of individual minds. There is not
| bit of wealth in the world that is not
the thought of some individual mind,
/ clothed with material substances SO
as to be appropriated to the satisfac-
ton Of human wants. So the great
producer of human wealth is the one
| that gives the thoughts that can be
clothed so as to satisfy human want
and desire.
1t will be seen by this how neces-
sary it is to develop the individual so
as to call forth all that he is capable
for the benefit of himself ard man
ents of the individual in the makeup
of history. All inventions that ever
did mankind any good, have come
through individual minds.
Those which the world has re-
tanned have been improved from time
to time by thoughtful additions; but
in every case the result has been
caused by individual action. Every
reformation in the worlds history has
been the result of individual effort, it
matters not whether the movement
was religious or political. So it is
upon the individual that the fate of
mankind rests. Society has never pro-
duced anything 1t is organized upon
fixed basis, and does not wish for
anything more than what it already
has. The church has all the truth that
n xryf11 ~, d.
nation; and all it wants of the indi-
vidual is to come under it's dominion
and be guided by the truth it already
possesses.
Political organizations have the
same tendency. No new ideas are ever
wanted, and the ideal statesman, and
the wonderful work of the organiza
ton is always in the past That great
endowment called reason is of no use
so the ordinary m9 might as well be
without the endowment Such is the
state of human organization that we
call society. 1t never gave the world
any material benefit and it might be
questioned whether the mental and
spiritual qualities have been ben
Gifted by being suppressed or kept in
state of slavery. But the strangest
rart of the matter is, the pretences
and boasts that have always been put
forth by human organizations. They
have claimed they were organized and
sanctioned by God, and receive their
power and wisdom from Him.
Such pretence of course depends
upon the minds of the people for its
support, and for that reason it is quite
easy to see how ready we are to be
guided by Others But the God that
society has claimed has not been much
of a benefactor to the human race.
There is nothing in the world that has
been given directly by God, and moth
ing that human society has. ever pro-
duced, but had better been kept out
of the world. The, best record be-
longs to the individual and the God
that has endowed him with under
standing, is the God we would recog-
nize in the future.
The single tax is the result of in
dividual thought applied to the pres
ent system that has been supposed for
ages to be under the care and provi-
dence Of God. 1t is the first time that
human reason has been applied to that
human organization called govern
ment. And as the light is turned on
the darker the picture grows. Like all
reform methods the single tax is
reverting back to the Individual; but
with the application of science we hope
to retain the benefits of individual
fl eedom. Society may exist, but not
as an overseer or ruler; the individ-
ual must always have the chance to
contribute his thought and effort, for
the good of all.
There is another thing the single
tax proposes; and that is that the liv-
ing shall rule, and conduct the af-
fairs of mankind. So far the world
has been conducted according to the
will of the dead. We sometimes hear
the complaint that the rule of absent
landlords is species of tyranny that
ought not be tolerated. But what shall
we say in regard to the rule of those
that have entirely passed from the
things of time and sense? If We look
over the valuable property of the
world we shall find large amount of
tribute that is paid to satisfy the will
Of some party that has long since heen