Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-05-05
rHE GRowrn OF nENlocnAcN.

THE GROWTH OF DEMOCRACY.
Just as certainly as the physicaI
universe f. the outcome of long
duration 81 gradual evolution con
tanning distinct periods. the transi-
ton frol one 10 another mari. I'd I'm
some Il .tances at least by oat.stro-
phic changes, the political and social
institutions of q protracted d valop-
ment with well defined pericls. the
passing from one 10 another having
beel accompanied by cor yulsions
corresponding ~ those i'm the physic-
al world, ana leaving as nmistaka-
BILE traces of their action The rec
ord OF geological history IS written
in the earth's crust from the igneous
rocks ward to the drift period, and
the gowth of human institutions
can be as clearly traced from the
cave dwellers to- the coming of de-
mocracy.
1t was long after the founding of
this republic indeed not till the
close of the civil war that there was
a general belief among the nations
of the earth that 1t had indeed come,
and to stay. No one now doubts.
and the most striking fact in the So
cial evolution OF our time is its rap
i'd progress. in all quarters of the
world. Here and in France It's sway
is undisputed. an other countries
which contain to some extent mon
archial and aristocratic forms are
rapidly falling into line Norway
has become, i'm fact, has long been
a republic, except I'm name. Sweden
and the Austrian empire have ac-
cepted universal suffrage. the gov
eminent of Great Britain is more
responsive to the popular will than
our own, and even i'm Germany and
Russia the drift is plainly i'm the
same direction. In Japan the people
have been admitted TO a large share
in the direction OF their own affairs.
and China is on the verge of adopt
ing more liberal institutions. which
with the absence OF any hereditary
aristocracy among her people, are
certain to become democratic.
Everywhere the same great move
ment is recognizable The people
are awakening to- a realization of
their rights. and to the fact that all
governments should be by and
through them. and for their bene-
fit. Great masses of men like the
Russian peasantry are ceasing TO re-
gard IL as divinely ordained that they
| should live on from generation to
generation sunk in hopeless misery
and subsection for the benefit of the
few. Whether the transition to a
new period can be everywhere made
without political earthquakes. and
catastrophes remains to be seen.
Following the analogy of nature il
is likely that there will be upheav-
ais of the crust of society. topping
down existing structures. and spread
I ing devastation far and wide. Pos
/ sibly the impending changes may
J. ''iht ~ duudllN anu WllUDNi muCn
violence. but coming they surely are
nor is it TO be supposed that when
democracy is eventually selched the
movement viii stop there. 10 is but
a hating place Wherever there Is
, life there is change and movement
and already by many democracy is
considered outward and eGete. and a
step i'm advance. II has been tried
repeatedly and failed Is It TO be once
more experimental with on a larger
scale? II il be indeed the next stage
In evolutionary progress it is vain Ia
fight against f.. but it is much more
probable that some new phase OF
social growth will appear more in
accordance with the teachings Of ok
perience and the underlying princi
pies Of human nature Cincinnati
Enquirer.