BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-03-06
SAN JUAN, MARCH 6
Harmonic The Elements

In his latest edition of Democracy and
Liberty which BY the way is q book vel
worth reading, and can be found ct the Ssn
JuaL Free Library William Ell. Lecky, ~
Eoglishmau of o wide reputation as an TAU
thoFity ON governmental problems, says
I" There are other ways In which democracy
dses not harmsnizs we'll with liberty. Te
place the chief power in the most ignorant
glasses is to place it in the hands Ot those
ssho naturally care least for political liberty
and who are most kelly to follow with al
absolute devotion some strong LEADER.
'srhs sentiment Of nationality pe0etratel
very deeply into ell closes, who have chief
ly valued constitutional liberty, and thoss
classes it 10 the work Of democracy to de-
throne. At the same time democracy doei
much also to weaken among these the love O
liberty. A despot,sm which secures order,
property, and industry, which leaves the Ii
bsrty Of religion and OF private life unim
paired, and which enables quiet and indus
trieus men to pass through life untrouble(
and unmolested, will always appear to MANY
very preferable to democratic republic
which 10 constantly menacing, disturbing OF
plundering them"
Continuing on this subject, but making
special reference to newly formed democrs
cies, Mr. Lecky remarks, s'The dangers to be
apprehended from democracy are enormous
ly increased when the TRANSFORMATION ID
effected BY sudden bounds. Governments
or societies may be fundamentally changed,
without producing any great eonvulsion OF
catastrophe, If the continuity Of habit ID
preserved, if The changes are made by slOv
gradual and almost impsrceptibls steps. As
already said il 10 one Of the evils of pre-
seat party system that it greatly accelerates
this progress"
While the views expressed above draw
. wide chasM between democracy and
security, and while there can be no doubt
that the author expresses Q rather hopeless
view Of . situation, which has long ago
been solved within the borders Of the Union,
the sterling words of advice contained in
his conclusions on the subject, might be
carefully considered here, and vast amount
Of benefit gained therefrom. From words
such ~ these there 10 much to be learned
BY . people who are attempting TO carry
into eject the very things which this author
describes % containing many dangers which
Gay result in tie achievement Of that which
" exactly opposite to what was originally
intended to be attained.
s'To place the chief pe,Cer in the hands Of
the most ignorant classes" would certainly
mean fatal blow TO democracy and liberty,
because the abuses which would follow
might readily compel the property and
monsy holding classes to seek the creation
OF despotism for the better protection Of
their property. 1t can readily be seen that
ignorant masses led on by sckeming, self
ambitious man might cause the ruin Of the
mest cherished hopes for democracy, and
the absolute negatiOn Of all ideas of liberty.
Thm proposition 10 proven for example 3,
. half dozen present day republics Of Soath
America. WITH ambitious men seeking
Attss self-enricbment, and prsying upon the
igneEance Of the people, We have seen the
spsctacIe of vested rights destroyed in an
hour, OF governments overfkrown in day,
and Of natives fleeing their own homes and
seeking iefugs even in despotic lands.
Taken on the other hand, these sams
isnorant classes educated up to the standard
ef proper self government and self reliance,
and We have on the North American CON-
Iinsnt republic Of men, where property 10
y secure as it ever has been In the history
u the world. The danger Of the land being
ruled b. the ignorant masses 10 passed, and
his danger grows less and less every day,
y the education Of the Young grows wider,
And the enlightenment Of the naturalized
,itiEen increases.
In bic work Mr. Lecky is hopeless Of the |
possibility Of harmonising these elements, |
be msssss and the few classes. Mr.. |
Lscky's eentention is IAN erroneous one,
Y has already been provel in the United |
states. Of course isolatsd cases can be |
aksa where INSCRIPTIONS politicians have
Cd On an ignorant following to the confu |
ion and dlsgust Of tho educated middle |
lass, bnt these inStances are few and far
'stwssn, and have been checked jast as
sadily ~ they were inadvertently allowed
. spread. Intelligence can always hold /
gnorAnoe seeing self-destruction, in cheek.
Whils paying . wholesome respect to the
piniens Of the writer, and while beng guid.
{ AWAY from the dangers which be dss-
ElbsA The remedial lesson can be learned
, taking the Union, and its instltutions as
. example. There the elements have been /
sFnonised. Ignorance, tie great menace,
8 beer partially removed, and il erowiDg
les cf danger every day. and the two
lssses, the intelligent workman and the o. Il
|tailss have Issynsd to move hand in kand, Il
as b kds for the perfection Of the sonsti.
ltisnal Liberties Of the natieD. II
The bridge ovsr this chasm which has
N drawn Dy Mr. Lecky, is edncstion Of