The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-19
NOTED BOSTON RABBI
TALKS OF DEMOCRACY
The Rev. Charles Fleischer
Enlarges LincOln's View.
A RELIGIOUS PRECEPT ALSO
Betterment of All, Rather Than In
dividual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, Must Be
Taught for Country's Good.

Rabbi Charles Fleischer. i'm charge of
the Temple Adath Israel in Boston. de-
Lvered an interesting address before q
large audience in the Eighth Street
Hebrew Temple last evening on De
nocracy.' He showed democracy is even
more than Abraham Lincoln said II was:
"A government of the people by the
people, and for the people" In addition
to being a political experiment. de-
Icocracy. said Rabbi Fleischer. is a re-
hgious precept. meaning that the we.-
fare of one is the concern of all. and the
veal of the community hinges upon the
individual
MI Fleischer is a young man. but en-
Joys a national reputation because Of
his many magazine articles and adj
dresses throughout the country. He was
porn In Germany, but has spent most
or his life In America He is a eradu-
etc OF the Hebrew Union College, in
cincinnati, and on his way there to at
tend the installation of Rabbi X. KohIer
as president of the institution. was pre-
vailed upon to deliver one of his famous
lectures I'm Washington
On being introduced by Rabbi Stern
OF the Eighth Street Temple. Rabbi
Fleischer said:
This moment has it's dramatic in
time descended of one of the Oldest of
historic peoples and n member of one
OF the youngest. connected by blood
with the people of the old Jerusalem
but related body and soul with a nation
Tor whose many millions this Capital
City is a new Jerusalem-that such n
man should enjoy the privilege OF pre-
senting TO fellow-Jews, who are also
fellow-Americans. his thoughts upon
democracy is an incident so dramatic.
when impersonally considered. as to
move us at least to reverent repetition
OF the words: God moves in a mys-
terious wav'
More Than Political
Not only this moment. with its dra-
matte and religious implication. but still
more this great theme deserves the re-
ligious attitude. Lincolns definition of
democracy was apt. but. however
largely he may have thought of de-
mocracy. his definition has served to
crystalline mans notion that democracy
Is merely political experiment. a form
of government But it is infinitely more
than that It transcends Americas
and Switzerlands, and New Zealands.
and whatever other experimenters with
the idea Of the divine right of the peo-
pie to rule themselves
Democracy is a spiritual conception
concerning man. 1t is a universal re-
ligious principle. It Is based upon faith
in human nature. respect for the human
individual. belief In the Moderation of
humanity. regard for every ones right
TO fullest opportunity for self-develop-
rnent. and recognition OF society's claim
upon every ones social conservation
Long before this era, seers have
thought thus highly of man. but never
before has such self-respect character
lied the common consciousness of men.
Accordingly. we walk more erect. and a
nobler dignity begins to inform our con-
duct. Here in America. the political
declaration OF independence. born OF
such lofty conception Of humanity IS
only the forerunner of a series of sim
liar declarations in the religious. moral
educational. artistic. and Industrial
world-all Of them preceding successive
emancipatiOns from ancient yokes. and
by no means spelling anarchy or degen-
Grafton. but endless evolution toward
ever finer individual life and ever fuller,
Juster and nobler social relations.
Impetus of Social Unrest.
THE very evident social uneasiness in
all classes is simply a surging Of the
human tide toward higher levels It is
The movement OF democracy-the dis
satisfaction with things as they are and
the insstent striving toward things as
they ought TO be II is the more or less
self-conscioUs demand that the posi-
bilities Of the individual life. and the
conventions governing and the laws con-
trolling the social relations shall con
stantly be harmonized with our rising
regard for man and his dignity. Present
conditions. I'm whatever sphere Of life,
are certainly not in such harmony.
1T VIII be recognized that this analy-
sis OF democracy takes the ideal beyond
a accessory relation with any one peo-
pla But what greatness-vastIy more
than that which glorifies Judea. Greece,
or Rome-awaits the people which will
consecrate itself 10 that ideal? We OF
America are privileged to become that
people. 10 be the greatest and most in
fuential OF the worlds mission-natlons-
as the glad slaves OF the idea OF de-
mocracy. Thus making 'mankinu our
business we shall fulhu the ancient
Jewish ideal OF becoming "A kingdom OF
priests and a holy people. and be the
greatest Of world-powers, winning the
nations to our own humane faith through
the compelling force of our embodied
idealism."