I was conscious of a momentary wish to write a manual of etiquette for reformers, but my guest looked so innocent that I forgave him.
“My opportunities for influencing public opinion are limited,” I said. “I doubt if I can assist you.”
“But I am sure you can,” he answered, cordially. “I want to undertake something new here. I try to adapt my programme to the needs of each city. In Chicago I gave a course of lectures on ‘The Crying Evils of the Day.’ The press co-operated, and we made an organized attack on wrong of all kinds. I couldn’t follow it up because I had to go on to another place. That’s the trouble. But as I said, the great thing is to rouse interest. I know that here there’s a great deal of study of social questions, and I want to do something to encourage that. I like to be in the crest of each wave of progress. Just what are you doing now?”
I described for him some of the minor workings of my Cause. The details were dry.
“Now that kind of practical thing doesn’t appeal to me,” he said. “I know it’s necessary, but there isn’t any emotion in it. You can’t get hold of the popular heart that way. There’s nothing like the platform, not even the pulpit. Well, I’ll tell you. I’m going to begin a series of banquets at St. Mark’s Hotel to bring the classes together. I’ll have one next week, and I want you to come. I’ll invite some up-town people and the leaders of various movements to meet some of the lower classes, the real People, you know, and we’ll see what can be done.
“There’s nothing like beginning and just letting a thing get under way, and then when it’s started you know better what to do. Start a movement and you can turn it into almost anything you want to. All you need is to get your forces going.”
I accepted, I fear from curiosity, the invitation to meet the People, and my caller took his departure. He stood irresolute on the steps for a moment, as if wondering in which of all possible directions he would better go. I reflected that in the battle with human nature to which he stepped out so airily, he would at least have the satisfaction of never knowing his defeat.
And I wondered who would deliver society from its deliverers.
CHAPTER XXIII
“Ich selber bin Volk.”—Heinrich Heine.