New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26

LIMO, Charles Scribners sons.
The essence of President Hadley's admirable
teaching in this series of the Yale lectures the
responsibilities citizenship is contained in the
statement in his preface: I'VE ind a tendency
among many people at the present day TO
claim the political rights OF free citizens with
out accepting the moral obligations which go
with them. But the attempt TO assume the
privileges OF freedom and disclaim its respon-
sibfities is fatal 20 the nation which tolerates
it." In harmony with this conception OF re-
sponsibility a requisite OF citizenship OF SELF
restraint as the groundwork OF liberty is de-
veloped = philosophic theory of freedom In re-
ligion. 81 law and in government. Unresuaineo
individual liberty. either in morals or politics. Is
not an abstract and absolute right but an ulti-
mate goal Primitive peoples do not allow It,
and cannot allow II. To permit any member
Of the tribe any wide range OF private Judg-
ment would break up the whole social order
OF the community for until the individual has
been trained TO obey something besides his own
impulses. and so use his liberty with voluntary
regard for other interests than his own. the COM
rnunity is obliged TO apply the strtctest ex-
ternsl restraints The history Of free insttu-
tons is a record OF the gradual acceptance Of
the duties of self-government. political and
moral. Whatever the form OF government
real freedom depends the character of the
people,
eminent is legitimate just in the degree that
It corresponds 10 their political capacity A
despotisrn may be so well ordered and so re-
spect popular habits as to leave people in prac-
deal freedom. A democracy may be most
searching and capricious tyranny.
II we study government from this point OF
view We shall find the building Of character
the essential work IN all teaching Of civics. 1t
is 20 be feared that President Hadley is right
IN thinking that too much of the political edu-
cation OF our schools is devoted TO the ma
chinery of government and to instruction in
the privileges Of citizenship without due en-
phasis upon its duties. In former series
Of lectures. President Hadley laid great stress
on the difference between the public opinion
and the aggregated individual selfishness Of a
community. Our legislative bodies, he held.
were dernorslized by the log rolling spirit. In
stead OF deciding a question with a view to
the general good OF the State or nation. each
member was influenced by the immediate in
terest Of his neighberhood. party or business.
and the result was a measure adjusted 10 the
needs OF various particular persons. without
regard TO the interests OF the people as
whole. In the present volume this need Of
civic altruism is strongly insisted upon Many
thinkers defend selfishness the sound and
healthful basis OF society, and the author ad-
individual selhshness. the schemes of per-
son balancing those of another, promotes the
general good. But il is not a safe basis Of gov
eminent. for the instant that the conventional
rules of the game Of selishness confront new
circumstances. OF cease TO be observed by new
citizens the whole social structure is endan-
gered. The assumption that any number Of
people regardless Of their character and train
ing. can. through the pursuit by each Of his
own desires and interests, reach a common good.
IS utterly false and is responsible for the most
dangerous errors in the development of free
government
The eighteenth century apostles OF democ-
racy in France and America were so enamoured
OF Rousseau's phrases about sovereignty OF the
people that they neglected his warnings against
short cuts to the exercise OF that sovereignty.
popular mandate by a majority vote was
often thought 10 sanction net merely the oppres-
sion of the minority. but also most tyrannical
excuses against the whole people by Danton
a RObespierre With . sharper realization OF
the need Of checks and balances. the American
democrats have circurnscribed the exercise OF
power but have been equally careless about
safeguarding its source. They have thought TO
make men self-governing by passing law TO
confer the suffrage without regard TO capacity
for self government- They have not realized
that mere paper constitution established with
out reference to previous usage and habits is
not effective IN creating new scheme Of polit-
seal and social order. A constitution can mark
boundaries and give a definite sanction TO rights
previously more or less doubtful but stiu gen
orally recognized but it cannot out of hand
create new social and political system.
II is on this rock. President Hadley points
out. that the reconstruction settlement has beer
wrecked To call a man self-governing and re.
Orc Il
ouire industrial responsibility and moral IN.
dependence before he can really become self
governing. Any law which attempts wholesale t.
give political power TO people who are not self
governing viii either be too hopelessly out Of
harmony with the necessities of society TO stand
or else viii bring anarchy. Freedom regarded
in this way becomes not an abstract doctrine
az universal application but a constructive force
which should have play in the measure in
which society profit from its exercise II
should indeed. go IN advance of fully devel-
oped capacity for freedom. 1t is itself an edu-
eating force. The citizen trained 10 elementary
responsibilities grows by meeting little more
than he was prepared for. But unless he has
at least primary conception of the response
biltfes Of freedom and readiness TO do his
part as a citizen not merely a readiness to
take advantage OF the license It gives him
then self-government in his hands is only a
dangerous toy with which he may ruin himself
and the State. President Eadley lays down the
rule; The amount OF private judgment which
the members of nation can advantageously
even safely exercise depends upon their own
moral character. That degree of freedom
which in one stage Of society. or among men
Of one kind serves means to progress
would IN another stage and with other men
loosen all foundations Of social cohesion and
constitute relapse into anarchy"