The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-03
LeUeI Of Democracy
By DR. xRANK CRANE

Those who talk of "the dead level of de- mocracy" are the victims of conclusion of ideas.
 Democracy does not mean universal me- diocrity. It is not a war cry of the envious and gifted against superior people.
 On the contrary there will be just as much difference between men when the last mon arch is deported, the last billionaire's goods appropriated for the people, and the last mo- ble sons of noble families compelled to go to work or starve, as there is now, or ever has been in the most sumptuous era of mediaeval display.
 Democracy does not threaten the stronger and more capable; it gives them chance. which they doa not have when privilege is i'm the saddle.
 Democracy combats not aristocracy (which means "the rule of the best"), but it does away with a false and artificial aristocracy, to make way for a true and real aristocracy.
 There can be no doubt that some people are born superior to others. 1 have no hesi- tancy in taking my hat off to Ludwig van Beethoven. l know he's a better, greater man than I in his department, and instead of being ashamed of that l am proud of 1t, glad to do him honor.
 If John Ruskin were alive and I should meet him I should do him as much reverence as any vassal ever showed his lord.
 The distinction between men are undeniaT ble. .-i-s5 o
 But when meet pin-headed youth who is ruler over thousands of men simply be- cause he is the son of his father, youth who ought to be blowing corn, and who is spending the substance of life in the purple ways of dissipation, then is when I feel like insurging.
 Because we believe some men are better than others does not imply that we wish to l nnnA;,,vn ba conditions of a0NietY which NrO. duce the average marquis of France. prince of Rome, earl of England, and plutocrats son of America.
 These represent a superiority based upon pure tradition, stupid fear of change and rank unreason.
 It is when such classes rule undigturbed that the common people are dull and common place. Real ability has no chance.
 It is privilege that Is the arch enemy of genius.
 It is because governments have always been in the hands of privilege that they have always been organized stupidity and often organized crime.
 The greatest men ought to manage che nation. Democracy's ultimate aim ts Do GAve the genuinely great men 8 chances by brush ing aside the noodles whose power comes only from the superstition of tnheEtfance oT me brute force of cornered capital
 Democracy is not enviouS. Tt ia as fun of hero worship as ever was monarchy. Only tt insists they be real heroes, real ktng men: as Carlyle sayss ssean-ing, cunning, king-nans" the king being fh6y man who "can."
 Democracy is from Missouri. You must show her.
 There is nasty disposition that hates anybody that is prominent, and gnaris at whoever is praised. This spirit is the mean ness of slaves. True democracy has none of it.
 Democracy simply means 0 square deal, not only for every man and woman, but also for every baby, that all children shall have equal rights to be born we'll, to be educated well, and to have fair chance to excel.
 We shall have our prophets, leaders, men of genius individuals towering above the mass. to the ApdS of time, even as they had among the seh of Israel in the days be- fors- -als bn having kinEaE