New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-04
The Mental Habits of Democracy

The wisdom of Gorkys statement that
what Revolutionary Russia needed was less
political propaganda and more scientific
thinking is daily becoming more evident
If science be understood in the broad
sense-not as narrow Prussian technical
efficiency, but as careful, well informed
courageous thinking about the big facts of
life and nature-Gorky's diagnosis applies
to democracy everywhere. Similar state
ments have been made by H. G. Wells III
regard to the troubles of democracy in
England, both before and during the pres
ent crisis. Prussanism has not only chal-
lenged the bravery and devotion of free
men; it has also challenged their intelli-
gence.
We in America are just beginning to
realize the preparedness value of genuine
| thinking. 1t has been almost a national
tradition with US not to take intellectual
activity quite seriously. 1t is not that we
have neglected general elementary educa-
/ ton; not that we have fallen behind in the
matter of applied science or technical
| training; it has been rather an Intellectual
indifference 70 anything except immediate
practical results. A short-sighted utilta-
rianism has ignored as much as possible
all remote ends and profound problems.
As a nation, we have been specifically
clever rather than deeply reflective, our
goodness a thing of the emotions rather
/ than of reasoned conduct, our economic re-
/ lations determined more by convention and
| class interest than by reason and justice.
Our statecraft has been concerned chiefly
with questions of present prosperity-the
/ future left largely to chance, with the feel
| ing that a benevolent Providence surely
would not fail to save from the conse-
Guences Of their blunders such a well
meaning people as ourselves. Politically,
our thinking has seldom risen above the
| temporary advantages Of opportunist par
/ tisanism. Our literature has seldom been
| permitted TO rise above "best seller" stand
ards. The drama has been made to con-
! form to the interests of the box Office.
/ Even religion has been judged by the nu-
merical standards usually applied to sales
manship. We have gained the reputation
/ of nationwide commercialism, not so much
on account Of our greed as because of our
] intellectual laziness.
/ People will put themselves to any
amount Of physical effort rather than use
| their brains. Our national maxim has
! been sect busy" The hustler" has be-
come our hero, with the result that few
people, even leaders and moulders of pub
lie opinion, have had time for thinking.
/ Scarcely anywhere in our blind milling
J around has there been opportunity for the
modern equivalent Of that calm meditation
which characterized the great minds of an
Gent and medieval times. The average
man has seldom stopped to ask himself
whether his ideas were his own or were
merely borrowed phrases and secondhand
opinions. Repetition has been easier than
! originality; mental labor saving devices,
partisan formulas, comfortable illusions
have made up large part of our intel
lectual capital.
The fact that after more than two years
Of warning we should even at this day be
usable TO meet single problem Of the war
without endless confusion and delay is