The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1918-01-31
The Wilson Theory
Of Democracy
Philadelphia Evening
Toduar

(rrom the Pmladelphla Evening
Ledger.)
1t is possible to talk a thing into
life. 1t is even easier to talk thing
to death.
Carlyle said modern democracy was
the result of printing. The neswpaper
opened the floodgates of publicity.
Mr.. Wilson recognized the power of
the press twenty-five years ago, when
he wrote:
when all sources of information
are accessible to all men alike, when
the worlds thought and the worlds
news are scattered broadcast where
the poorest may find them, the nom
democratic forms of government
must find life desperate venture.
Exclusive privilege needs privacy,
but elder patterns needs sanctity, but
can find it nowhere obtainable in a
world of news items and satisfied
curiosity. The many will no longer
receive submissively the thought of
ruling few, but insist upon having
opinions of their own"
There are echoes of this early con-
viction in Mr.. Wilson's use of press
publicity; in his arraignment of the
German autocracy; in his attempts to
stimulate discussion in Germany.
The facts of the world today bear
him out. For example, difficult as it
has been to. get true account of
what is going on in Russia, the en-
terprise of the press is every day
piecing together the large design.
The precise views of M. Trotsky on
world socialism, his plan to uproot
the capitalist Item everywhere, his
version of this war as being not be-
tween nations, but between Germany.
while it can keep news out, can not
keep news in. But mighty as are
the forces of the press. Mr.. Wilson
went on to say in the essay quoted
above:
"No one can fail to preceive that
they are inadequate to produce of
themselves such a government as ours
The influences of popular education,
of the press may only confuse and
paralyze the mind with their myriad
stinging lashes of excitement. They
overwhelm one with impressions, but
do they give stalwartness to his man.
hood?"
The big point that he leads up to is
that not mere talk, not mere wild
eyed revolution and stormy protest
can erect democratic government.
There is almost nothing in COM
mon between popular outbreaks such
as took place in France at her great
Revolution and the establishment of
a government like our own. Demo-
cracy in Europe, outside of closeted
Switzerland, has always acted in re-
bellion, as a destructive force. De-
mocracy in America, on the other
hand, and in the English colonies has
had, almost from the first, truly or
ganic growth. Our democratic
State was not piece of developed
theory, but piece of developed ha-
bit u was not created by mere
dSpiitllOlS VI ny he" ldlIll, IL was
built up by slow custom. An imma-
ture people could not have had it.
Such government as ours is a form
of conduct, and its only stable foun-
dation is character. A particular
form Of government may no more be
adopted than a particular type of
character. Democracy, far from be-
ir.g a crude form of government, is
possible only among peoples of the
highest and steadiest political habit.
1t can never be made to sit easily
or safely on first generations. 1t is
poison to the infant, but tonic TO the
man."
This sober conservatism is not the
side of Mr.. Wilson that it is the fash
ion of the day to applaud. We hail
the Russion revolution as the great
est event of our times, as thrilling
promise Of good time coming, but