The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-02-23

- dCi gA.
| most Of them prefer. But II the
object 10 10 show respect to the
ordinary man. then the Ncid test
In found. not in the constitutional
power Of the majority (which Is
incidentally but in the constitu-
tonal rights ~ the minority (which
are essentially. That Ia why the
treatment Of conscientious object
ors IL Of such very high import
ance.
Democracy In In the long run
good for the state politically be-
cause by throwing responsibility
on to the individual citizen II de-
veiops his qualities and makes
him . better wiser, brav-
er, more public-spirited. Demo-
cracy benefits the state by pro-
viding II with the best Of civic
material: but this benefit may
take some time 10 become sppar-
ent.
BENEFITS Utixens Morally
So, too. democracy benefits the
citizens morally. for exactly the
same reasons; and here. too, the
benefit may be slow to appear.
for II 10 possible that they may
usc their freedom for indulgence
and 20 make the ground Of hope
into q source Of degradation.
So we come to the question
whether there IL any ground on
which the individual can claim the
respect which democracy pays to
him. Yes, but II Is a conditional
ground Of claim.
II he In "a be worthy Of the
dignity with which democracy
inveats him. he must conduct
himself accordingly. A life
Of mechanically honest work
at the Job by which he earns
his living. alternating with
leisure devoted 70 pleasure
seeking and the pursuit Of
comfort. does not seem quail
fled 70 inspire respect: and
In fact those who order life
on these principles never find
happiness.
What 20 many have learned in
these grim days Ia what any un-
derstanding Christian could have
told them. Life acquires dignity
and meaning comes to life when
q cause Ia found for which a man
IL ready to give life. When he IL
ready To die for something, his
life has new value. Before any
demonstration of that readiness
we bow In reverence, because
though we hope we might do the
same, we are not sure that we
could. and anyhow we know that
II IL supremely honorable. War
gives q fresh--and In this matter
q truer-apprehension Of values.
When Peace Returns
Can we hold on To II when |
peace returns? Can we then give
life for a cause. not In the sharp |
and definite decision to accept |
death rather than betrsy II, but |
In the harder and more testing
perseverance in unselfish purpose
and In the multitude OF small un-
selfish choices. II we can. then
we shall not only have made the
world safe for democracy. but
shall also make democracy safe
for the world.
What hope can we have that /
on any large scale such a spirit |
of resolution and constancy will |
be found In the democratic ma
tons! Had we got II when war
broke out7 Or was there more
than we like TO recognize In the |
Mani and Fascist criticism of our
outlook and standards of life?
We know II was more false than
true. and have been disposed to
dismiss 1t on those grounds. But |
was there not some truth in II.
which provided a basis for what |
we have thought q sheer libel? II
does not seem that we can safely
rely on democracy TO generate by
itself the character which II pos
tuiates- We must find elsewhere
the power that we need for the 1
health Of our political and social
order. In my next and conclud- |
ing article ] will try 10 make
clear where and how I believe
that we can find Il.