‘Ah, that was an isolated case.’ ‘Not a bit of it,’ said Mr. Wentworth. ‘I can give plenty of other cases that show how often the British workmen unwittingly drive away trade, and make us all suffer in consequence.’ ‘Well, this is a free country, and the workmen have a right to act as they think best,’ said Johnson. ‘Undoubtedly; I do not dispute that for an instant. All I say is, don’t throw all the blame of poverty on the rich; a good deal of it is due to the poor themselves. Parliament can do little more than it has done. No Act of Parliament can give permanent employment and good wages to a man who drinks, or neglects his duty, or who will not work properly and efficiently.’ ‘Ah, there are people who think otherwise.’ ‘I fear there are.’ ‘According to your way of talk, Mr. Wentworth, Parliament ain’t of much use.’ ‘I fear not. I only defend representative government as the only possible mode of political life in the absence of a benevolent despotism, controlled by a free press. The ideal government is that which interferes least with the people.’ ‘Then, what do you recommend?’ ‘Moral reform. Do you know,’ continued Wentworth, ‘that Trade Unionism seems to me essentially one-sided.’ ‘That is rather too rich,’ said the visitor. ‘All we seek is justice to ourselves.’ ‘But is not that unjust to the masters? A firm commences a business or works a mine. It is put to great expense; sinks an enormous amount of capital, and then because it chooses to employ individuals who have a right to be employed, who have as much right to earn their own living as other men, the Union withdraws their men, and the works have to be stopped, and many a firm has given up business in consequence, and thus the area of the unemployed and the amount of national poverty and distress is increased. No man can serve two masters. There must be a head somewhere, and a firm naturally may claim to be at the head of a business, and should be left to regulate its own affairs. What would become of a ship if the crew were to deprive the captain of his command, and to navigate it themselves?’ ‘What would you do, then?’ ‘Why, just act according to Christian principles.’ ‘Christian principles—what are they?’ ‘That man and master should do to each other as to themselves.’ Johnson blackened in his face and whispered something about nonsense. ‘But that is not all.’ ‘No, I should think not,’ said Johnson. ‘My next demands are moral reform, and the power of the people.’ ‘Ah, now, that’s coming to the point.’ ‘But I mean by the power of the people, not a vote at the dictation of a caucus, but the action of an educated independent people.’ Again Johnson frowned. ‘Well, let me hear what you recommend. The future belongs to you, Mr. Johnson.’ ‘Why, we want State aid against the selfishness of the rich, and State employment for the poor.’