THE END OFLAISSEZ-FAIRE

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The disposition towards public affairs, whichwe conveniently sum up as Individualism andlaissez-faire, drew its sustenance from manydifferent rivulets of thought and springs offeeling. For more than a hundred years ourphilosophers ruled us, because, by a miracle,they nearly all agreed, or seemed to agree, onthis one thing. We do not dance even yet toa new tune. But a change is in the air. Wehear but indistinctly what were once theclearest and most distinguishable voices whichhave ever instructed political mankind. Theorchestra of diverse instruments, the chorusof articulate sound, is receding at last into thedistance.

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