The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-11-20


sion In Europe During the War.
aud who Has Long Becn Promi-
nent la Midwest Union labor
Council.
Education and democracy must he
driven abreast. They will not work
tandem. II either one gets far
ahead OF tho other tho social cart
In doomed 10 an upset
Russia illustrates both phases Of
tho rule. The autocrncy was yoked
To n people with n touch of western
education. a partial knowledge OF
democracy and many theoretical
ideas Of constitutional liberty. The
conflict wrecked the old civilization.
Lenine and Trotsiy tried 10 drive a
people. ignorant OF the machinery OF
SELF government. unframed in ma.
tionai democracy and wholly lacking
the instruments Of popular rule. into
laborruled communism. The re.
suit was misery and chaos with re
action in sight.
II was because democratic forms
outrnn their educational content
that a Spanish republic gave why "a
a monarchy. no many fa,in,Ameri-
ran republics failed TO function and
thar a republic was twice abandoned
In France. a model constitution"
In Mexico brought. not the expected
freedom and equality. but Diaz and
dictatorship. followed by revolution
and another test Of democracy. the
success OF which depends upon the
degree To which popular education
keeps abreast OF the progress of
democratic institutions.
Democracy Never Falls
Democracy Ia a tool. an instru-
ment II does not fail A peopl.
may fail 10 use IL and reject II until
they are capable of mastering itn
| craftsmnnnhip.
That mastery may not come with
liioracy alone. Popular sclfcontroi.
tolerance. the spirit OF compromise
and patience 10 await results of sx.
persmsnss. with skiii 10 profit by
mistakes or even moro important
qualifications.
Fortunately. once sn equilibrium
between education and democracy 10
established and government be-
comes a going institution. the proc
eH. tends 20 become automatic. This
ls tho hope and the strength OF dem
ocracy--that Il educntes its citizens.
tests the results Of their education
and thereby moves forward. univer-
sai suffrage. legiHistion by MAORI.
ties. elections. popular campaigns
and freedom OF criticism OF public
acts constitute a universal school OF
! citizenship. To disregard thes.
methods or 20 seek 20 thwsrt them
IL to destroy the foundation OF dem.
ocracy and tho liberty that goes
with a.
Would Dictate
Tho eager rrformsr forwet- this
lesson. lie Ia - sure OF tho dcairs.
blii'y' OF his measure. that he longs
for n shortcut thru somc dlsgulsed
Dictatorship. n take. no long 10 per.
suadc a majority. lie forgc,s tina,
JUS; this discussion and persuasion
are the Indispensable means Of train.
ing a citizenship for the now duties.
Even such training does not always
avoid mistakes. but IL enables people
10 profit by their mistakes.
These general truths are a crush.
Ing reply 10 advocates Of direct &c.
ton" ''proletarlan diciatorrhip," and
other methods NJ suddenly and VIC.
lently increasing the power OF labor
In industry.
Il Modern industry 10 complex, tech.
meal. dellca,ely poised upon great
credit structures and international
relations. To democratlEc its opera.
ton without elaborate educational
preparation thru that discussion and
!. persuasion which converts q ma jor.
i'y IN 10 make certain the fallur.
and collapse OF Industrial life. A
majority that cannot be convinced
Of the dsslrabillty Of a plan certainly
cannot carry u out.
4 Any nation that adopts undcmo.
cratic methods thereby proves its
unfitness for scif.rovernment. ANY
people ready for Industrial democ.
facy win be too intelligent 60 be
fooled by dictatorship OF the proie.
tariat" or 10 long endure dictator.
ship of posscssors