New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-24
SPEAKS ON DEMOCRACY
DR.. Butler addresses the University
of California.

Of California.
San Francisco. March q CspeciaD-PrOfessOr
Nicholas Murray Butler. OF Columbia University,
delivered an address before the University Of Cali
fornia at Berkeley to-day which was charter day.
on True and False Democracy" He said in part;
II is my g. g1TPose to speak on the fascinating
d democracy which is true and stable. and one
reive nations Of the Garth it IS Clearly al recog
nized that the pressing questions OF the moment
they are economic and social In Germany, in
France in England in Italy. in Japan and in
own country parliaments and legislatures are busy
iEg themselves with these newer. problems. the
Tfension Of the fed in which men Work SoIIectIg.
~ through their politica agents. rather than in
d.viduaIly through their own wills and hands.
lems in The spirit OF democracy. and with more
than century OF schooling in democracy behind
democracy means and implies? For there is a de-
When ne eC1loG ~ soolI prooIeIn presses haro-
est for solution that me sharp contrast between
the; ne 5Te burT s O. ana 'e ne which DIVIDES
Was Lord Byron right when he cried. What
is democracy2-aH aristocracy OF blaclxguards!" or
was the truth not with MsZzni. who defined de-
ibe leadership Of the best and Wisest? i E Hqy
thing depends upon the answer.
TO SECURE EQUALITY.
The state ,,, Is founded upon justice and justice
Equality; because equality OF ability Of efficiency
men To secure an equality which is other than
the political equality incident to liberty. the more
Tun he less efficient Cor there Is no known device
g Tl ,e observation-disclosures 81 the mor t7 on
Objective conditions must Of course. be equalized.
he stEte But this is true not because such an
equality is an end in itself but because it is es-
Il We can TX clearly IN mind this fundamental
Equality OF capacity. equality OF attainment and
liberty, we shall have reached the clew TO the
end spurious and democracy which is true and
When one examines the proposals that are seri.
ously made by responsible men in high place. not
10 ask whether liberty. which for four centuries
has been a word 10 conjure with has lost its hold
upon men and whether We are coming to a pass
where democracy is 10 be reduced 10 the eXpedient
able 10 maintain itself only by providing bread
and q circus for the masses OF the people II by
coming TO it, then be assured that IT viii not be
ong before great Gn9nge %l oSHae over me po
thar II will be a change for the worse
10 5aeTs a o bTy has lost is n Ss or tha
a false and spurious equality contradcting every
seBQTary a. best can LONG lure :, intelligent sI men
s,sre ana innumerable The economic in1ust!ces
:set have not yet been removed are many and ap-
ms liberty that have not yet been sufficiently es-
fatlshed are easy 70 nams But surely me remedy
away distractions and debris. and then in build
ing more thoughtfully. more wisely and more pa
tiently upon it.
soIALIsTIc EFFORT.
The socialist propaganda never more seriously
ana siscers attempt to escape from conditions that
are burdensone and unhappy. No just man can
o. students Of human nature approve its pro-
10 Immediate concrete proposals. socialism would
substitute for individual initiative collective and
properly and production. ii, the hope thereby Of
correcting and overcoming the evils which attach
& fr6igllualiSTl wild But not
lose sight OF the fact that The corporate or col
Individual initiative IS only such corporate or col
sSe 5sB9ns6y a as gouR OF these . reFy
ism is primarily an attempt 70 overcome mans
IN the hone that they viii cancel each other That
i not only bad mathematics but worse psychology
constitute mob IN foreeffllness 81 he fact mat
tie mob lea or ,nied Is teh most serious foe that
the people have ever had 10 face.
bas % ee mock 70 The TePTess o s t9aaEh
al under the leadership OF the best and v-isest-
for these wisest and best and will elevate them
o2ersTion o. he iaG 81 lberfV II viii pTovde
itself with real leaders. not limited by rank or
way for each individual 70 rise 70 the place Of
hoLoI ano l1nleAce py me eAlIessloh OF ms oWn
coHlnunistic formula. From each according 70
viii Uphold the Principle From each According
70 his needs. To each according 70 his abilities"
cation and opportunity that the humblest may rise
The most precious Thing in the world is the indi-
E1dual human mind and soul with its capacity
formula, to hold It IN check to serve the selfish
ends of mediocrity. 10 deny II utterance and ex-
democracy impossible as a permanent social and
governmental form.
ARIsTocRACY OF SERVICE
s eea f9 9 Is 5o sore sd s9Say Of Su an
an aristocracy does not exist in the popular con-
sciousress, bending the knee in worship 10
the golden calf Of money The form Of monarchy
and its poTnp offer valuable foil the worship
o. money for its own sake a democracy must
better more effective than an arstocracy Of in
telect ano service recruited from every part OF
our democratic life. We must put behind us the
fundamental fallacy that equality Is demanded by
justice The contrary is the case. Justice de-
mands inequality condition Of liberty and
means OF reWarding each according TO his merits
deserts. Even the socia list admits this.
exercised envy OF attainment or Of possession,
democracy which is false. not OF a democracy
which Is true. False democracy shouts. Every
man down 10 the level of the average. True dem
ocracy cries, All men up 10 the height Of their
llliest capacity for service ana achievement. The
two ideals are everlastingly at The future
o. this nation as the future OF the world Is
bonno UP with the hope Of true democracy that
True democracy rejects the doctrine that medi-
cT1ty is safeguard for liberty, and points TO the
TACT that the only serious menace Of liberty comes
irom the pTedOminance Of monopoly, o. privilege,
ana Of msjorites True democracy holds fast 20
me notion that fixed standards OF right and wrong
are necessary 70 SITS success and that resting
Place ls 10 be found IN the verdict Of authorities
ing is settled until IL Is settled right, no
fer o 5najoriues and no threats 81 the powerful
shoua FOR an instant be allowed 70 check the
agitation 20 right wrong or 20 remedy abuse.
WAT h Burke says Of Parllanent Is equally true
- ne American Congress and OF American state
.sslslatures. Their one proper concern is the in
democratic ne Eaos not ne IIf - "
.Sning tool OF the caucus or or the mob. but he
hood does not take orders but offers guidance.