DEMOCRACY AND SELF-RESPECT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3205, 28 April 1911, Page 2

DEMOCRACY AND SELF-RESPECT.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN JUDGMENT. •In an interesting paper on “A Study of Democracy,” contributed to the Nineteenth Century, Sir Bampfylde Fuller says:—“On scientific grounds we may value democracy because it affords scope for tho gradual development of the judgment of mankind. The variations of human opinion may be compared with those physical variations of plants and animals which are the only, if imperfect, instruments of progressive evolution. Some are useful, others are injurious; but if all be crushed, the capacity for progress is atrophied, and such stagnation follows as in India has been the consequence of Brahminical despotism. Under a monarchy or aristocracy peculiarities of opinion threaten the established order of tilings, and are promptly stifled. The community becomes as a flower-bed the plants of which are kept true to type by the rigid elimination of all varying blossoms. The restless or enthusiastc men who represent the varyng florescences of human thought have, after centuries of struggle, succeeded in establishing a court of appeal. They have claimed the protection of the masses, and have conciliated the masses by winning for them a voice in the management of affairs. Many vears may pas’s before the enfranchised multitudes ta'ke an intelligent interest in the schemes that are propound to them. Having obtained the privilege of a vote, they are not particularly anxious to exercise it. But none the less keenly do they value the privilege—indeed, they will risk their lives for it. Its possession enhances the sen-esteem which is the most precious treasure of humanity. You may call this feeling vanity if you will: it certainly has something in common with vanity. It is strongly self-con-scious. and lies poles - apart from such sentiments as reverence and faith. But it has been of immense service in raising the standard of human comfort and respectability. It pervades the atmosphere of the political meeting hall and those orators are most successful whose words most effectually appeal to it. Whatever he the tendency of popular legislation, it is invariably subject to one condition—that- it does not detract from popular self-esteem. Pensions are aeepied where poor relief is spurned. The people may at times show indifference to justice, to liberty,,or even to self-fnforest. Blit they are never indifferent to feelings of self-resepct.”