Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-05-27
IMPROVEMENT.

~ r. -A..-' Ea.Et - .rrr
SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr.. Bryan opposes an American
mandate over Armenia for several rea-
sons which he sets forth in an en-
phatic statement just issued. The
one on which he places the greatest
emphasis is thus stated: n
But worst of all, it would COM
pei US to surrender a vital princi- (,
pie Of democracy. namely, that all
people are capable Of self-govern-
ment. go
Mr.. Bryan and the rest of us have
been over that ground together a good
many times. Possibly Mr.. Bryan may
have convinced some of us. 1t is GER
tain that others have brought no con
viction to Mr.. Bryan. who is as we'll
known for his tenacAty Of opinion as
his successor in the leadership Of his
party, Mr.. Wilson, has become. This
further evidence OF irreconcilable diff
ferences between the president and his
one-time staunch supporter is inter-
.esting in itself, and it is evident that
this controversy is to have an import
ant bearing on the campaign. But
aside from this the principle which
Mr.. Bryan lays down is of perennial
interest, for it relates to n of the
great fundamentals in the develop
ment of human society.
All normal persons have the capac-
ity to learn how to govern themselves
in accordance with the minimum re-
quirements of civilization, that is, in
such a manner that their conduct will
not be a constant outrage and offense
to others, and that il, will not men
ace the safety of others. All persons
who are not mentally deficient have
that capacity. 1t does not follow that
all people may with safety to them
selves and others be accorded imme-
diately and without qualification the
opportunity to govern themselves.
Every norma child possesses the
capacity to learn how to govern him
self or herself. and to be a full parti-
cipant in social and political govern
ment. But a child is not accorded
Immediately the right or the privilege
of self-government. 1t is assumed that
before this can properly be done there
must be a period of intellectual and
moral development leading to a certain
measure of maturity of thought and
judgment, and a certain measure Of
experience in the customs of civilized
society which are considered necessary
to fit the individual for intelligent ac-
ton in matters Of government.
While the progress of individuals
differs, 1t has not been thought FEAST
BILE to apply individual tests in these
matters, and in this country and in
many others it has beer assumed, on
the observation of many generations,
that the necessary development has
been reached, in most cases, at. about
the age of Fl years, and at that age,
and not earlier, the child becomes a
participant in the government of his
country.
In conceding to entire peoples the
right to govern all their affairs no
age limits or other arbitrary stand
ards have been fixed, nevertheless, It
is universally admitted that certain
conditions shall be met before a a
ton is permitted to go alone. There
are innumerable illustrations of the
application of this rule.
Cuba, to cite a modern instance.
was not ready for self-goyernment
when the Spaniards were driven out.
There was a wild outcry when the
United States government refused to
recognize the revolutionary orsanixa-
ton as the real government of the
country. Our government was deaf to
those protests. 1t remained in charge
OF Cuban affairs until a government
had been established under the most
favorable possible conditions. and I'M
til that government was actually in
successful operation. Then it with
drew. But twice it was obliged to re-
turn n take charge to prevent the
country from reverting to a. state of
anarchy. Now Cuba is being govern
ed by its own people quite successful
~.
There has been a great deal ofscon-
troversy over the Philippines, butieven
the members of the Philippine indie
pendence party, who urge the imme-
date erection of the country into an
independent state, do not now assert
That such a course would have been
useful OF possible twenty years ago.
On the contrary, they pay high tribute
to the service which the United States
performed in controlling the country
and assisting in it's development while
It's people were acquiring the exper-
fence which would fit them for sAlf-
government.
Haiti has been a self.governinr
country, on paper, for a good many
Years. During those a it Ia. been
the scene of n violent revolution
after another, and Haiti is a peaceful
and reasonably well governed country
today only because armed forces Of
the United States are stationed there
to prevent q lapse into the conditions
Of barbarism.
The a 8 OF Armenia IL to be tudr-
ed by the facts surrounding that par
ticuiar case. and not by a DOGMA
declaring In general terms the rtxht
Of people to govern themselves. The
people have had no experience in self
government They have been govern