The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-07-02
Az EMINENT CLERICAL STATES
MANS VIEW.

Amid the great multitude Of addresses
made within a month before educational
institutions in this country we have not
glanced over any that more satisfied US
than the one delivered by Rev. DR.. Hen
~ Van Dyke before the University Of
Georgia ar Athens on June 18th. Some
thing familiar with his writings, and a
delighted and repeated reader Of his ele-
CANT and admirable work on Tennyson,
we expected a handsome, scholarly pro-
duction from Professor Van Dyke (now-
of Princeton University. But we were
not prepared for the wise, sane,
thoughtful discussion at Athens. His
subject was Ruling Glasses in Democ-
racy." No statesman could be more
judicious. practical and able in handling
tina theme. The address is really ex-
ceIlent all the way. 1t is not to be mu-
tiIated safely. You cannot quote a pas
sage and say Behold the address,"
There are many quotable passages, but
IL 3 so good, SO satisfactory 1t deserves
to be read from beginning to end. He
thus opened:
Few men doubt their ability to make
laws. Most men, at some time or other,
dislike the necessity OF obeying them.
Personal restraints are not often per
sonaI pleasures. 1t is easier to do what
you please la to do what you ought
Further on he notes VIA is apparent
to any reflective mind. He says:
~ government may be tomorrow.
The great question is how to secure a
$500 40 r1nn
How shall h men who are best quail
fed to control and direct the common
interests OF their fellowmen be discover
ed? How shall they be sanctioned in
the use of just authority and restrained
from the exercise Of unjust tyranny"
Observant men see the sure trend, and
fear the consequences. The departures
IT. our governmental system since 1866,
have been so MAN. and so great that
many real patrols may look on in pro-
found apprehension of an upheaval in
this country, and Of other and greater
changes to be wrought. Discussing the
thTe e methods of government devised
by mantle autocratic, automatic and
democratic, DIR. Van Dyke says, and we
give but a small part:
Lite dulOCTdllC ulcl1Ou pl ClISo
amounts to allowing the chief ruler to
select himself and appoint his subordi-
mates. This is the oldest method and
the rudest. The automatic method re-
lies upon heredity to supply the ruling
classes. All that a nan in that class
needs to do Is to get born at the right
time and live long enough and the scep-
ter comes to him as a matter OF course.
In pratice, this method has two serious
drawbacks. First the wrong families
are sometimes chosen to start the pro-
cession."
OF the democratic method he speaks
at length. We quote here and there:
1.-THE democratic method entrusts the
OF the ruling classes to the col
1ective "a and justice of the people.
In the conduct of government it appeals
to the governed for their consent.
The consent of democracy has a differ
ent meaning. 1t signifies the thinking
together, the acting together of the peo-
pie in the choice of their rulers, and
consequently, in the direction of the
state. Three things are essential to the
of this popular participation.
First, there must be an untrammeled
opportunity for the people to express
their choice by suffrage. 1t is by no
means necessary that mis- suffrage
be universal. AS a matter of
4CLSk Il T. 4Aoo oNNAs ~ ~
mon right. 1t is a civil privilege, in
tended to protect common rights. 1t
has always been restricted in one way
or another"
He urges that the ruling class shall
be restrained by a written law. Here
he says: True democrats are jealous
and Jealous for the ~sanctity of the con-
1stitution. They know that it is the sea-
wall between them and empire"
Making a big leap we next quote as
follows: "All arguments against the
democratic method, based on the weak
ness, folly and selfishness of human ma
ture. apply with greater force to the au-
tocratic and automatic methods. The in
dividual follies of a multitude of men
often neutralize one another, leaving an
active residuum of plain common
sense
He discusses with clarity, penetration,
precision the power of wealth and
shows just how it can grow. He says:
n one could buy a vote, if some one
else were not willing to sell a vote. No
one could run a legislature from his Of
flee. if there were lot a lobby at the
capitol. No lobby could do business if
there were not a machine. And no ma
chine can fulfill the law of it's own be-
ing without evolving a boss. Here is
the law Of development of this species
of political creature: First, a society,";
then, a faction; then, a gang; then, a
clique; then, a ring; then, a big four, or
five or six; then, a boss"
And that is precisely how the great,
corrupt republican party governs and
blasts. and Expresses the poorer classes.
Where lies the protection? How can
the people in their rights and liberties
be safeguarded? The answer is educa-
ton n a higher morality and a pro-
sense of responsibility. That is
our own way of stating it. DR.. Van
Dyke says:
Education is the only possible safe
guard which is in harmony with our
principles, n has the power to defend
institutions without enslaving them.
But h means of producing
first rate men has been discovered ex-
pnnf nIyrrof inno r 40 not