The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-24
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
SHOWS SUPERIORITY
DR.. T.. N. CaIlsch Compares 1t With
the Idea Of Monarchy As Is Held
In Germany.
SHOULD AVOID POSSIBILITIES.
However. In Event OF War, Rabbi Be-
heves That His Co-rcligionists VIII
Answer Call As They Have Always
Done.

During the course Of his talk last
night at Beth Ahabah Temple, Rev
DR.. E. N. Calisch, in a concise and
| convincing manner, demonstrated the
superiority of democracy. as exempli-
fed in England and America, to the
idea of monarchy as held in Germany
On the one hand. the people possess
the Anal say and, on the other. the
ruler. Defeat strengthens a de-
mocracy. but defeat destroys the
power of a dynasty.
Beginning with reference to the
widespread observance OF Washing
toms birthday this year, the speaker
said that 1t was not necessary for
patriotic societies to have asked cit
liens to hang out flags and otherwise
observe the occasion as events have
aroused the nation to it's duty. The
father OF his country, although an
aristocrat and a representative of all
the privilege OF his time in America,
has left name revered by every
class
Washington's refusal of third
term demonstrates the intense de-
mocracy of the man. The act on his
part influences American opinion to-
day. with reference to the length OF
service OF chief magistrate more
strongly than law itself.
Or. Caiisch traced briefly the history
of government from the time when the
strong individual dominated the weak
savage through sheer force, Next FOL
lowed clan rule and the various stages
Of monarchy down to tho time when
human beings. through rebellion and
revolution. wrested from the privileg ed
ruler tho rights OF man.
Hebrews Established Democracy.
Among the ancient Hebrews was
established the first democracy. Their
commonwealth provided for the rep
resentation Of each of the twelve
tribes and even when the people had
q king, the royal power WAS limited.
Ecclesiastical authority stood side by
side with the monarch and occasionally
asserted superiority.
On account OF tho extraordinary de-
gree OF preparedness shown by Ger
many. at the outset Of the war, and
dilatorinses Of England. many per-
sons express the opinion that the
power OF a monarchy has shown its
ca pab.lity in q manner that a republic
cannot equal. However. that may be.
those who prefer the highly efficient
methods Of imperialism forget the
moral side.
A revolution in the thought OF the
world took place after q dissemina-
ton of the ideas expressed in the
Declaration Of Independence became
widespread. The writer's of that doc
ument stated two truths. generally ad-
mitted today: First. the patriots felt
1t their duty to give forth reasons
to the world for taking up arms. In
order to have the decent respect of
mankind: secondly. those courageous
wrote that government de-
rives its power from the consent OF
tho governed.
DR.. Calisch expressed the wish fer
ventiy that host!iities would be avoid
ed. but should war come. he urged
the women of Israel to take places
beside the men and DO their duty in
whatever manner Is possible for them.
During past periods OF stress the He
brew element has demonstrated its
patriotism. each man doing his bit:
should another call come. the rabbi
felt that his co-religionists would an
swer as they have always done,