ABSTRACT
The acceptance of a responsibility is the essential preliminary for the development of the proper capacity to discharge it. Democracy in its true sense, that is to say the whole people, must rise to its great responsibility, and must, by knowledge and understanding, by control and guidance, utilize its power to secure a far higher degree of social well-being in own land, the advancement of international unity and mutual comprehension among nations. Democracy may have to fight over some of the old ground again before it can hope to advance farther. The evils of militarism, of confidence in force, of aggressive intention, though visible to some extent in all nations, have a far more energetic growth in the countries where democracy is kept in check. This is another proof of the moderating and pacific influence of democracy. But the more advanced peoples cannot wait for the faster progress of the more laggard Governments in the less highly developed communities.
