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MANCHESTER STAT. SOC. "INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 191
which afford all requisite aid to any person subscribing some
such small amount as Id. or 2d. each per week. I have heard
that some of the London hospitals have considered the idea of
adopting this system, and refusing nid in all minor ewe3 but
to their own subscribers. It would not be necessary to render
the hospitals self-supporting. E!ldomments nud public contributions
would usually enablo every hospital or disponsary to
give back in medical aid sororal times the vnluo of what is
given in small contributions. The object would bo not so
muck to raise money as to avoid undernlining the prudent
habits of the people. Non-contributors might still be relieved,
but only on t.he payment of a fine; and, of coursc, cases of
severe accident, illness, or destitution would still be reliorod
gratuitously ns at present,.
We cannot be supposed yet to have reached n point at
which t,he public or private charity of one class towards
another can bo dispensed with, but I do think wo ought to
look towards such a st,ate of things. True progress will tend
to render every class self-reliant and independent. Self-help
is the truest kind of help, and you confer the greatest benefit
upon a person or a class of persons when you enable and
induce them to do without your aid for the future. Money
spent in the education of the young has this beneficent effect.
Money spent in most other modes of charity has generally the
opposite effect. Hence, I venture to look upon El spent in
the education of the young as worth g50 spent in most other
charitable uses.
I am hardly likely to overlook or underestimate the mistakes
committed by Trades Unions, but can we deny that they
embody the true spirit of self-help? So far aa their fun&
are spent upon the relief of sickness, the support of those who
are bod fide out of employment, or crippled by accident, they
represent the truest form of providence, and they are already
one of the bulwarks against the flood of pauperism. 1 do not
despair of the time when these societies will nndersknd the
harmful and hopeless nature of their straggle against capital,
and when that day comes, and working-men devote themselves