They had no definite and clearly outlined conception of what they wished in the way of reform.

They on the whole tolerated, and indeed approved of, the machine; and there had been no development on any considerable scale of reformers with the vision to see what the needs of the people were, and the high purpose sanely to achieve what was necessary in order to meet these needs.

I knew both the machine and the silk-stocking reformers fairly well, from many years' close association with them.

The machine as such had no ideals at all, although many of the men composing it did have.

On the other hand, the ideals of very many of the silk-stocking reformers did not relate to the questions of real and vital interest to our people; and, singularly enough, in international matters, these same silk-stockings were no more to be trusted than the average ignorant demagogue or shortsighted spoils politicians.