Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1917 — “SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY’’ [ARTICLE]

“SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY’’

Just at this time the world is anxiously inquiring the inward meaning of President Wilson’s immortal phrase, “safe for democracy.’’ Just what is “safe,’’ and just what is “democracy?’’ In the first place, safety, while it must contain the element of freedom, must NOT grant license. Safety means security—of the individual, the group, the community-,-the state, the nation, the world—security from the FORCEFUL encroachment of others. It MUST carry with it exemption from violence. Likewise democracy means free-dom—-of the individual, the group, the community, the state, the nation, the world —freedom in the i enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But freedom, made absolute, would nullify SAFETY and result in anarchy. Therefore freedom must be bounded by equity. The divine principle of RIGHT decrees that noiM shall climb to success on the downfall of another. Your brother’s unmerited loss must not be your gain. And this must apply not only to individuals, but to voluntary groups, communities, states, nations. It must be worldwide. Given a world-wide recognition of this principle, we have the very essence of democracy. When all individuals and groups shall recognize the RIGHTS of other individuals and groups, and concede them, then will the world be “safe for democracy.” If any are inclined to paraphrase Pilate and ask, “What is Right?’’ we would answer, an equitable allotment of the opportunities of earth and of life.