Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2884

Carbon with amendments in Heath’s hand, drafted to Brand Blanshard, 513 Ogden Street, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

No date

 

 

Dear Dr. Blanshard:

It has been kind of you on several occasions to give me the pleasure of your company and conversation. I greatly en­joy your constructive intellectuality and shall be glad in­deed if I can make any adequate reciprocation.

 Those who love and yearn for peace must seek also the intellectual light to know: How can our public services of govern­ment be carried on without the imposition of force upon its citizens, thus causing them distress and giving occasion for counter-violence, revolutions and wars?

 We do not consider even mild seizures of property or imposition of force of any kind as necessary for the support of or in the conduct of private affairs — not even permissible. Then why in the public?

 One part of the public business, and that the basic, oldest and most essential part — is now being carried on solely by contract and consent. So well is it done, we are not conscious even of its need. We think little of it. Many think it evil; some would destroy it.

 The accompanying typescript discloses among other things what this benign public business is and how it can be expanded to include all public business, without compulsions or compro­mises of any kind and with enormous profits and advantages to all. It is only necessary that a considerable number of pub­licly articulate persons become conscious of this basic pub­lic service that is now being non-violently performed, even to the finding of its own revenues, without taxes, endowments or alms. Automatically and without resistance, its extension will then follow as a matter of course, and public violence cease.

 Until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. … He that hath ears, etc.

 

 Permission for this typescript to occupy a place at or near your elbow for the next week or two is all that is asked. Please do not read it at all — unless it interests you — or any more of it than seems to do so.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

SH M