One is as profitless and parasitical as the other.
The man who has no notion of what is doing politically in his own ward, who does not sense the malign influences which may be working in his neighborhood, in his very street, perhaps in the next house, who has not his eye on the unscrupulous small politician who leads the ward by the nose, who knows nothing of the records of the local candidates, never goes to the primaries,--this man is one of the most dangerous citizens we have.

It is he who makes the machine possible.
If he did his work, the governmental machine, which starts there with him, would be sound.

It would be begun by honest men interested in serving the country to the best of their ability, and on such a foundation no future solidarity of corruption would be possible.
The individual woman's obligation toward the children and young people in her neighborhood is very like this obligation of the man to public affairs.

It is for her to know the conditions under which the children, the boys and girls, young men and maids, in her vicinity are actually living.

It is for her to be alert to their health, amusements, and general education.