The question, then, I repeat, is whether constitutionalism, as
originally developed in England and embodied and reproduced by our
fathers--who, perhaps, 'builded wiser than they knew'--can come safely
through this crisis and triumph over the two ideas which, thus far, have
predominated in the American mind, and driven us with fearful strides
toward absolutism. 'Every man for himself' is the first idea. In the
family, in church, in politics, in commerce, in all social and political
relations, every man striving, pushing, scrambling, straining every
nerve to advance himself, regardless of his neighbor or the public
interest--such everywhere is the confused and hideous picture of
American society. Selfishness predominates, and selfishness is
repellant. So it was before the ages were, when Lucifer, in the pride of
self, refused obedience to the Word. So it is even yet, and its
inevitable tendency is to hostile isolation and final dissolution. Its
logical consequence is anarchy. But anarchy is intolerable, and a
civilized people, yea, even barbarians, will submit to anything rather
than social and political chaos. Then comes the iron band of despotism
to hold together the antagonistic fragments.
'The supremacy of the people's will' is the second idea. _Vox Populi,
vox Dei!_ What the people decree is right, and nothing must stand
between their will and the subject or object upon which it operates!
Such is the political gospel according to democracy, and fifty years'
earnest proclamation thereof has wellnigh abolished all the barriers of
constitutionalism--barriers, which stood like faithful guardians, stern
but just, between the Individual and the State, which reconciled the
harmonious coexistence of private liberty and public power--an idea
wholly unknown in pagan or classic civilization--and which at once
prevented the anarchy of individualism and the tyranny of absolutism.
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