In countries where personal liberty is unknown, and the rights of person and property are curtailed, people do not exert themselves to improve their environments, but are content to remain quiet and inactive.
By the constitution of the State of California it is declared that "all men are free and independent".

It must be conceded that the American people enjoy a greater amount of freedom and independence than other people.

But are they perfectly free, and are they really independent?
Are they not swayed in politics by their "bosses", and do not many of them act and vote as their bosses dictate?
In society are they not bound by conventionalities and, dare they infringe the strict rules laid down by the society leaders?
In the matter of dress also are they not slaves, abjectly following new-fangled fashions imported from Paris?
In domestic circles are not many husbands hen-pecked by their wives, because they, and not the men, rule the roost?
Are not many women practically governed by their husbands, whose word is their law?
The eager hunger for "the almighty dollar" leads most Americans to sacrifice their time, health, and liberty in the acquisition of wealth, and, alas, when they have acquired it, they find that their health is broken, and that they themselves are almost ready for the grave.

Ought a free and independent people to live after this fashion?
In every well organized community it is essential that people should obey all laws and regulations which are enacted for the greatest good of the greatest number.

In domestic circles they should willingly subordinate their own wishes to the wishes of others, for the sake of peace, concord and happiness.