Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-19

has lived almost his entire life in America.
He graduated from the Hebrew Union Col
lege in Cincinnati, Ohio and on his way
there to attend the installation of Rabbi K.
kOhler president ne stopped off in WASH
ington and spoke by request at the temple
last night He is not only well known in
his own church. but to the nation through
his magazine articles.
The Address.
In his address the speaker said:
This moment has it's dramatic interest
That a man who is at the same time
descended of one of the Oldest of historic
peoples and a member of one of the young
est, connected by blood with the people of
the old Jerusalem but related body and
soul with a nation for whose many millions
this capital city is a new Jerusaiem-that
such 4 man should enjoy the privilege of
presenting to fellow Jews, who are also
fellow Americans. his thoughts upon de
mocracy''-is an incident so dramatic, when
impersonally considered as to move us at
least to reverent repetition of the words of
one of recent Presidents, God moves
in mysterious ways
Not only this moment. with its dramatic
and religious inplica ton, but still more
my great theme deserves the religious at
titude- Lincoln's definition of democracy
was apt, but, however largely he may have
thought of democracy, his definition has
served to crystalline mems notion that de-
mocracy is merely a political experiment,
y
more than that. 1t transcends America s
and SwitZerlands ard New Zealand's and
whatever other eXDerimenters with the idea
of the divine right of the people to rule
themselves Democracy is a spiritual con-
CeptiOn concerning man. 1t is a universal
religious principle. 1t is based upon faith
in human nature. respect for the human
individual, belief in the moderation of hu
mainly. regard for every ones right to
fullest opportunity for self-development
and recognition of society's claim upon
every ones social conservation
Walking Erect.
Long before this era seers have thought
thus highly of man. but never before has
such self-respect characterized the common
consciousness of men. Accordingly we
walk more erect, and noblcr dignity be-
gins to inform our conduct. Here in Amer
lea the political declaration Of indepen-
dcnce. born of such lofty conception of hui
nanity. is only the forerunner of q series
of similar declarations in the religious,
moral. educational, artistic and industrial
world-all of them preceding successive
enrancipations from ancient yoi.es, and by
no means spelling anarchy or degeneration
but endless evolution toward ever finer in
diviiual life and ever fuller, juster and no.
HER social relations.
The very evident social uneasiness in all
classes is simply a surging of the human
tide toward higher levels. II is the move
nent of democracy-the dissatisfaction with
ing toward things as they ought to be. 1t
is the more or less Self-conscicus demand
that the possibilities of the individual life
and the conventions. governing and the laws
controlling the social relations shall con-
stantly be harmoniZed with our rising re-
gard for man and his dignity. Present con-
ditons in whatever sphere of life, are GER
tainly net iE such harmony.
1t will be recognized that this analysis of
democracy takes the ideal beyond a neces-
sary relation with any one people. But
what greatness-vasuy more than that
which glorifes Judea. Greece or Rome
awaits the people which will consecrate
itself to that ideal, We of America are
privileged TO become that people. to be the
Erea test and most influential OF the world $
transformations as the glad slaves of the
idea of democracy. Thus making mankind
our business, shall fulfill the ancient
Jewish ideal of becoming "a kingdom of
priests and a holy people" and be the
greatest of world powers, winning the ma
tons 10 our own humane faith through the
compelling force of our embodied idealism