He would be a foolish Hamiltonian who would claim that a state, no matter how efficiently organized and ably managed, will not make serious and perhaps enduring mistakes; but he can answer that inaction and irresponsibility are more costly and dangerous than intelligent and responsible interference.

The practice of non-interference is just as selective in its effects as the practice of state interference.

It means merely that the nation is willing to accept the results of natural selection instead of preferring to substitute the results of artificial selection.

In one way or another a nation is bound to recognize the results of selection.

The Hamiltonian principle of national responsibility recognizes the inevitability of selection; and since it is inevitable, is not afraid to interfere on behalf of the selection of the really fittest.