The elements of social science, or, Physical, sexual, and natural religion : an exposition of the true cause and only cure of the three primary social evils: poverty, prostitution and celibacy / by a doctor of medicine.

Drysdale, George R., 1825-1904.

Date:: 1889

Credit: The elements of social science, or, Physical, sexual, and natural religion : an exposition of the true cause and only cure of the three primary social evils: poverty, prostitution and celibacy / by a doctor of medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

609/634 (page 585)

$POLiTiCAt, ECONn:.:r iNn T-ir -woricinq cr.AHSEB. S85 prtjinlicc against political economy and its folhurers, wl]i(:h exists among the working clasties, ami among many oilier persons wlio are interested ill the cause of human progress. There is a prevalent belief that the economists are a heartless and unfeeling set of men, who care only for the increase of national wealth, and think little of the toils and sufl'erings of the poor. Alas! that any such belief should prove the means of separating the working classes from their truest friends, ami from the science in which alone their salvation is to be found. No opinion couid possibly be more erroneous. Even if it were true; il the economists had done nothing more for the working classes than point out the cause of poverty, they would still have rendered them a greater service than any other men ever have done, or can do; for the rirst necessary step to the removal of an evil is to know its cause. ^v'hat the working classes most of all need at present is to see clearly the cause of low wages. A knowledge of this is of far more import- ance to them than any amount of commiseration for their suiferings. It is not charity and sympathy, but science and justice, that they most urgently- require. But, besides pointing out the cause of poverty, the economists, as a cZass (though doubtless there have been exceptions), have been remarkable for their democratic tendencies, and their de- votion to the interests of the working classes. 'J'liey have been unceasing in their efforts to raise wages, and procure a better dis- tribution of wealth. If we regard the list of economical writers— Adam Smith. Malthus, Ricardo, Senior, Chalmers, James Mill, John S. Mill, Ellis, Place, H. Fawcett, Greg, Miss Martineau and others—I do not think that in any science we could find a greater number of writers distinguished for their liberality of opinions, their benevolence, and devotion to the cause of humanity. With regard to their poli- tical vie\vs, several of the English, and still more of the French, economists, have, I believe, been in favor of the removal of monarchy and aristocracy, and the substitution, in their place, of a Republican form of government;—which appears to me also to be the most conducive to human dignity, independence, justice, and happiness, and therefore much the best, in any country where there is a due respect for the laws, and a sufficient degree of political intelligence and unselfishness. Some economical writers have themselves be- longed to the working classes, as, for example, Mr. Francis Place in the earlier part of his life. Mr. Place repeatedly urged on their attention the study ot political economy, as the only science which could save them from tlieir evils. Political economy he says, is the science of the working classes; nothing but a knowledge of its leading principles, aided by their own prudence, can ever rescue them from the degradation into which—they hare not fallen—but from ,rliich they have never been able to emerge. Political economists are neces- sarily friends of the working people; the very end and object of the science is to elevate them, to procure for them the greatest possible share of the produce of their labor. I believe that much of the prejudice against political economy, nas arisen from its being supposed that the llioughtless and uafeelins$