Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-28
DEMOCRATIC IDEAL.
PRAISED BY BECK
Former Solicitor General. in
independence Address, De-
pIores Relationships.

Washington's observance of indie
pendence week opened today with i'm
pressive ceremonies in Memorial Con
tinental Hall, during which the citi-
Zenry of the Nations Capital rededi-
Gated themselves TO the principles Of
democracy laid down in Jefferson's
historic declaration $50 years ago.
Featuring the celebration was
warning by former Solicitor
General James NJ. Beck against
that leads to relationships
such as has gained ground in Europe
since the World War.
The distinguished audience OF men
and women. gathered under auspices
of the National Society, Daughters Of
the American Revolution. listened
with profound interest TO the speakers
statement that at no time within
the memory OF living man has Lin
coins ideal of government of and
by and for the people been more
openly denied and flouted."
Ideal Still Dominant.
The ASSURE nee was stressed. how
ever, that whatever may be said in
this temporary ebb-tide of democracy,
a to the fate OF parliamentary insti-
is as dominati ting and beneficent today
as IT has ever been
Recounting the mighty change
which came over the worlds drea m
of democracy following the recent
great war, Mr.. Beck declared:
"A reaction, swift and terrible.
against parlia mentary government.
through which alone the institutional
democracy can function. swept over
the world like the shadow of great
eclipse Today everywhere through
ont Europe there is markable
trend toward a form Of government
which is not dependent upon parlia-
mentary majorities.
NO present fact Is more significa mt
than the reaction in many nations
against democracy and in favor OF
one-man power. 1t matters not
whether the man be called a czar,
emperor. king or dictator. the essen
tial fact Is his power. Today many
Of the oldest nations Of Europe are
in the grasp of dictators. The revolt
is not against democracy Ia a social
ideal. but against the inefficiency and
venality of parlia mentary institu-
TONS
People Must be Capable.
Mr.. Beck declared that the World
War revealed the fact that democracy
as a governmental institution is not
worka BILE, unless there be people
who are politically capable Of self
government"
Let us not lay the 'flattering unc-
ton to our souls" the speaker add
ed that we have finally and com
pletely solved the great problem of
popular government. IL Is still. 10 use
the words of Lincoln. IAN unfinished
task and to 1t the living, from gen
Grafton TO generation. must still dedi-
cate themselves. For. truly. eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty
Mr.. Beck paused in the middle of
his address in Difference to the pro
grained broadcasting of the peals of
the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and
at the appointed time the entire as
sembly stood reverently at attention.
their minds barking back to those
stirring days of rs, when the famous
old bell first announced to the world
Americas defiance to autocracy.
Exercises This Morning.
The exercises began this morning
at 1890 O'Clock with the rendition of
several patriotic airs by the United
States Marine Band Orchestra. under
the direction of TAYLOR Pranson sec
ond leader. Mrs. Alfred J. Brousseau
president general of the ID. A. r.. who
presided. announced the presence on
the platform Of two descendants of
Thomas Jefferson-Miss Fannie Burke
and Mrs. Mason Nicholson. A Scrip
ture reading and prayer were offered
by Mrs. Rhetta GoOde, former chap
lain general of the national society
following which a formal flag cere
mony was staged. with the audience
participa ting.
The flag rites included the calling
Of the spectat tors to attention by Cor
netist John p. White. preliminary &c
the presentation of Colors by a mill
Sedley b. Shaw, L. S. A., and Pvts
George F.. Luckenbacher and Leroy
r. Nicholson. The salute and pledge
to the flag was led by Mrs. Herber,
NJ Lord. corresponding secretary gen
eral of the society.
With the assemblage still at atten
ton Flora McGill keefer sang 1.-The
Star Spangled Banner unaccom
panied.
Following Mr.. Meck's address Viii
liam Tyler Page. author of The
Americans Creed" led the gathering
in repeating that pledge of faith in
American institutions.
The ceremonies concluded with the
singing in unison of America" and
pronouncement of benediction by the
Rev. James Shera Montgomery. chap
lain of the House of Representatives
The entire program was broadcast
by station WCAP.