The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-04-18
THE CORNERSTONE
OF DEMOCRACY
BY DAVID GIBSON

AYOW that the war is over and as we count an
IN other milestone the highway of our ma
tional life toward a truer democracy, we can see
that all progress is the result OF quiet orderly
thought and discussion of our public AFFAIRS
That each time that our democracy has been
threatened. within without, 1t has been the Ill
advised action that comes from feeling. emotions.
predominating thought-within ourselves or our
enemies.
That the only threatening cloud now on the
horizon OF national life, small as IT may be, Is
from source that precludes all factors OF reason.
/ system. ''' -
Our Colonial forefathers learned order and sys-
tenn from the discussion of their social. business
and political affairs long before the American revo-
lution-thcy practced it in town meetings.
They learned to make compromises
They learned that progress, reform, does not
will or ideal Of one-that the might OF
one or of few does not make the right of all.
Our Colonial forefathers carried the spirit of
quiet, orderly discussions TO the framing OF the
Declaration of Independence. later to that very
quiet orderly and systematic document, the con-
sttution % the United States; and after the revo
luton this habit Of quiet, orderly discussion proved
the training for self-government, one generation
unto another. in the national life which has fol-
lowed.
THE lesson from this. for all of of this gen.
GRAFTON, and particularly young men and
women is that we should pursue the practice of
quiet. orderly discussion individuals-the prac-
tice that has been found workable in the upbuild-
ing of this nation, that may become strong
individuals and stronger as nation.
That every young and woman should make
the joining and participating in an organization a
part of his or her education to citizenship.
Begin with the school organization. follow it with
the business social organization-the church, the
lodge, the cub-any that have a purpose beyond
themselves.
Learn from the discussion of their affairs learn
from a participation in the Observation-Disclosures
quietly with thought rather than feeling.
Learn to compromise.
Learn that those who will not compromise are
the real obstructionists.
Learn that the strongest and women in
these organizations-the leaders of them-are
those who present truth with order and system.
quietly-with the most thought and the least
feeling.
OBSERVE that feeling emotion, oudness of
~ speech, and, above all. exhibition of temper,
proof of the soundness of belief.
Learn that those who argue with the most
feeling and temper have their own vanity at
heart rather than the good of a cause.
That achite people often carried array
Of emotional oratory, net H as neper Of pe,pd-
nent conviction.
That while an individual may be right as
against organization that even whole people
may be wrong at times, yet it is only the process
by which they finally get right
Learn that permanent reforms come by slow
and orderly courses, that they disturbed and
retarded by feelings and force; that they come,
process on another, quietly, unnoticed,
naturally, like the changing of the year
into fall.