Part 5 (1/2)

ESSENTIAL DEMOCRACY

It may be helpful to relate, in just a word, what is meant in this volume by essential democracy, essential united earth and similar expressions. Springing from the Christian idea that all men are created equal in the sight of G.o.d, in opportunity, it stands for that type of society in which the essential power of government is wielded by the ma.s.s of the people.

The one thing that it is important to remember is that a monarchy or an oligarchy is not necessarily an ant.i.thesis of democracy--only absolutism in the form of a monarchy or oligarchy or plutocracy is an ant.i.thesis to democratic principles.

Many governments which live under the standard of a republic are not democratic in spirit at all. Mexico has virtually been a despotism. The Spanish-American states, especially until recent years, were nothing but a specie of military tyranny. And France has often been only a bureaucracy in structure and in state.

By essential democracy we mean the gradual triumph of the principles which emphasize the equality of man before G.o.d, and which are everywhere coming into increasing recognition throughout the world.

One author says that before the middle of the nineteenth century all the great European states, with the exception of Russia and Turkey, had adopted a const.i.tution limiting the power of the crown ”and investing a considerable share of political power in the people, and in most of them a representative legislature of the parliamentary or British type was adopted.” While in Switzerland, Norway and Sweden alone on the continent democracy has reached a type of true efficiency. And these triumphs must be remembered by the people for the sake of future inspiration and courage; and because it may help one to interpret the present European war as an agony incident to the progress of growth.

It is true that the victory of the principle of democracy has been checked by the persisting of the military spirit in Europe and the wonderful industrial expansion in both Europe and America. In England also the triumph ”has been delayed by the prevalence of aristocratic traditions which still grant privileges and rights to a social cla.s.s based on berth and inherited wealth.” While in American the simplicity of the colonial life and the absence of the people from the aristocratic cla.s.ses of Europe promoted a vigorous and commanding growth of the democratic ideas. And this is why the nations of the world in their struggle for democracy are looking to America, because she has the most nearly of all nations realized the democratic ideal.

In light of what has already been accomplished, how inspiring then becomes the lure of the ideal of world democracy. Essentially it is splendidly possible. The people crave it because it is G.o.d-born. They love to think and work and vote for that far-off divine event. And more than that the words, monarchy and oligarchy, are so out of date that they are anxious to be in spirit and letter citizens of a republic. And wherever the leaven is working thrones are in danger, because great things are going to happen on this G.o.d-guided globe, in the interest of humanity.

Let it be remembered that there are fifty recognized governments in the world; and that of this number twenty-six are republics, twenty limited monarchies, with democratic features, and only four absolute monarchies.

The very thought of this is an inspiration and shows that all the nations are rapidly moving in the direction of essential world democracy.

A PRAYER FOR WORLD CITIZENS

Our Father, who art in heaven--the G.o.d of humanity--hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in the whole earth as it is in heaven.

Give the nations this day their daily bread; And forgive them their trespa.s.ses as they forgive the nations that trespa.s.s against them.

And lead them not into the temptation of conquest or self aggrandizement, but deliver them through their rulers from this evil.

For thine is the world kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

At the Congress of Religions held at the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, when the question came up as to what would be an appropriate devotional appeal to be used in opening the Congress, the representatives of every religion and faith of the world unanimously agreed that the Lord's Prayer found in the Sermon on the Mount would be acceptable to all. And the one given above is an adaption from the Lord's Prayer, given in order that it may be seen how well its spirit could be adapted to world democracy.

FOOTNOTES:

[C] An address delivered in the interest of the peace movement a week previous to the observance of ”California Ripe Olive Day.”

[D] Suggested by the words of Timaeus of Locris.