As the race advanced and began to feel the throb of God-like impulses, and to live in harmony with divine law, consent to proprietorship developed. For several centuries, in all civilized countries, with here and there a relapse into barbarism like the French Revolution of the 18th century, and the Russian Revolution of the 20th century, property rights and some measure of personal liberty have gone hand in hand and have been quite generally recognized and respected. CONSENT WITHDRAWN For the first time in the history of an English speaking people consent to personal ownership is being gradually withdrawn. Unless you have studied popular audiences, analyzed current magazine articles and scrutinized modern legislation, probably you have little conception of the proportion, even among the respectable and high minded, who are committed to some degree of confiscation. At a joint debate on single tax under the auspices of an organization like many styled “Academy of Political Science” or “Political Science Club” or “Science of Government League,” which in this instance was an adjunct of one of our very large universities, I called for a direct expression from the audience upon the clear-cut proposition of confiscation of all private property. Two-thirds of the audience promptly responded in its favor. That audience was composed of “high-brows.” They were men and women who read magazines, attended lectures, belonged to “uplift” associations and indulged in mental processes which they thought was thinking. I had had similar experiences in joint debates on socialism, but had never before struck a bunch of incipient anarchists of such apparent respectability. Some years ago I had the privilege of addressing an association of Socialist Clubs at Cooper Union. While I have addressed many better read audiences I have never seen one that had read more. Many of them did little else but read. In addition they were a most sincere and good intentioned body of men and women. There are, as every one knows who has come in contact with them, somewhat more than fifty-seven varieties of socialists, every one of which was well represented that evening. They were courteous, they were respectful, they listened with manifest interest; but it was easily discernible that they considered our civilization wrong and harmful in the extreme. One could see it, feel and taste it. The very atmosphere conveyed to every sense the unmistakable evidence that that great body of men and women thoroughly believed that what they termed “Capitalism” had its heel upon their necks. They were not rebellious, but it was evident they did not intend anyone to be misled into supposing that they were unconscious of their conditions, or that they intended to acquiesce longer than necessary.