rease the money-bags of their tyrants. But the
capitalists have perfect right, according to modern ideas; they only
use the means at their command. The table of the ten commandments has
been broken; the yoke of Christianity broken. Man is morally and
religiously free; and from this false liberalism the tyranny of
plutocracy and the slavery of the poor has been developed. Are you
satisfied with the development, and the principles that made it
possible?"

"No," said Frank decidedly. "I despise that miserable industrialism
that values the product more than the man. My admissions are, however,
far from justifying the exaggerated notions of the saints."

"Wait a bit!" cried Klingenberg hastily. "I have just indicated the
cause of this wretched egotism, and also a consequence--namely, the
power of great capitalists and manufacturers over an army of white
slaves. But this is by no means all. This demon of industry has
consequences that will ruin a great portion of mankind. Now mark what I
say, Richard! The richness of the subject allows me only to indicate.
The progressive development of industry brings forth products of which
past ages were ignorant, because they were not necessary for life. The
existence of these products creates a demand. The increased wants
increase the outlay, which in most cases does not square with the
income, and therefore the accounts of many close with a deficit The
consequences of this deficit for the happiness, and even for the morals
of the family, I leave untouched. The increased products beget luxury
and the desire for enjoyment; the ultimate consequences of which
enervate the individual and society. Hence the phenomenon, in England,
that the greater portion of the people in the manufacturing towns die
before the age of fifteen, and that many are old men at thirty.
Enervated and demoralized peoples make their existence impossible. They
go to the wall. This is a historical fact. Ergo, modern industry
separated from Christian civilization hastens the downfall of nations."

"I cannot dispute the truth of your observations. But you have touched
only the dark side of modern industry, without mentioning its benefits.
If industry is a source of fictitious wants, it affords, on the other
hand, cheap prices to the poor for the most necessary wants of life;
for example, cheap materials for clothing."

"Very cheap, but also very poor material," answered Klingenberg. "In
former times, clothing was deare