Underneath these detailed actions, which seem in large measure the product of chance, or of the selfish or sentimental effort of some individual or party, the historian is able to trace the underworking of some large principle which furnishes the key to the real logic of events.

The spirit of democracy has played a very small part in the conscious effort of the democratic workers.

But the inductive study of modern history shows it as a force dominating the course of events, directing and "operating" the _minor_ forces which worked unconsciously in the fulfilment of its purpose.

So it is with this spirit of socialism.

The professed socialist is a rare, perhaps an unnecessary, person, who wishes to instruct and generally succeeds in scaring humanity by bringing out into the light of conscious day the dim principle which is working at the back of the course of events.