It is a good thing to have an historic background of the Single Tax movement in the contemplation of certain great events that ushered it in.

There has grown up among recent adherents to our movement an impression that the campaign of 1886 was a mistake, that Henry George might better have devoted himself to the writing of other great books to add to those he had already written. This impression is rather widespread, but chiefly among those who have come late to the ranks. To this impression Albert J. Nock, in his admirable article on Henry George, has lent the weight of his name.

We think the impression is wholly wrong. Mr. George made no mistake in entering the campaign of '86. He had what his later-day critics seem to lack a keen sense of the dramatic. The whole world learned in this campaign who Henry George was. Not that many had any very intelligent comprehension of what he stood for his philosophy remained in the background, only dimly perceived. But many did learn it and a number of great names were emblazoned in the early chapters which begin the annals of our movement.

Think of it! Had it not been for this campaign we might never have heard of Father McGlynn, William Lloyd Garrison, John S. Crosby, Ernest H. Crosby, and many other great names. It disclosed Henry George as perhaps the most moving orator of his time. It had tremendous influence abroad and really started the movement of which the Henry George School is the final link in a continuous chain. We heard him cry out at a great meeting in that clarion voice of his: "We are firing a cannon tonight whose echo will be heard round the world," and again we call attention to his sense of the dramatic. The campaign of 1886 was the cannon whose echo was heard round the world. In the time to come that clarion cry will be quoted.

The campaign of '86 added to the weight and fame of his books that were now to be carried everywhere. It illuminated his message. Regardless of its political effect all that aside, for no political effect was sought the stage for the opening of the great drama was begun! The curtain had risen.

The campaign of 1886 was no mistake. It is meaningless to assert in criticism that the time given to this campaign might better have been devoted to the writing of another book. Even at that time his writings were nearly complete. Mr. George was wiser than his later-day critics.

We have purposely refrained from any allusion to the campaign of 1897, for Mr. George was in no condition to undertake it. Yet even here it would be rash to question his judgment. The occasion and manner of his death, which he deliberately chose still alive to the sense of the dramatic was no hastily conceived sacrifice. The world in the days to come will regard it as a second Gethsemene, the effect of which was worth the sacrifice.