Reading Journal Entry #3 - Democracy

The first speech that I’m going to comment on today is a speech by Daniel Webster at the dedication of the Bunker Hill Monument. Although this speech isn’t one of my favorites, Webster made some valid points. He said:

• “…the fundamental and manifest truth, that the powers of government are but a trust, and that they cannot be lawfully exercised but for the good of the community…”
  

The government is here for our benefit and it only exists on our consent. This is the principle of popular sovereignty – a principle to which our Constitution was strictly adheres.

• “…we know that our own fortunes have been happily cast; and it is natural, therefore, that we should be moved by the contemplation of occurrences which have guided our destiny before many of us were born, and settled the condition in which we should pass the portion of our existence which God allows to men on earth.”
  

We need to appreciate what our soldiers and found fathers did for us. So, so many people, the world over, wish they were Americans. So many people wish to have the prosperity that America has. They wish to have the freedom and rights of its people, and they wish for a justice system uncorrupted, as America has. As Americans, never – ever – take for granted the privilege. Stop complaining about your government – it could be so much worse! And if you find the need to complain, as someone (I forget who) once said, do not just complain, but do something to change the wrong that you see.

• “The interest of the world is peace, and it’s first great statute that every nation possesses the power of establishing a government for itself.”
  

I only wish this were truer than it seems to be. Sadly – yet understandably so – the interest of the world is only interested in peace when they have everything their own way. And since everyone in the world can never be completely satisfied, I guess we will never experience world peace…

• “We [American politicians] are not propagandists [of American government]. Wherever other systems are preferred either as being thought better in themselves or as better suited to existing conditions, we leave the preference to be enjoyed.”
  

This principle is important – I hope that American politicians adhere to it, though. America’s purpose is not to get all the world’s governments to conform to its ways, but rather to be a beacon – an example – to the rest of the world of what democracy can bring. And then let them wish for it themselves.

Webster further proves his point of America being a beacon, he said:

• “If in our [America’s] case the representative system ultimately fail[s], popular government must be pronounced impossible. No combination of circumstance more favorable [to the establishment of a representative democracy] can ever be expected to occur…popular governments…may in their general character be as durable and permanent as other systems.”
  

In it’s early days – and, I guess, even today – America is a model. It shows that representative government really does work. And the fact that it has worked in America offers hope to other countries.

• “The principle of free government adheres to the American soil….The great trust now descends to new hands…There remains to us a great duty of defense and preservation.
  

Democracy is our destiny. It was founded many, many years ago by our founding fathers, and it is now our responsibility – the responsibility of the next generation – to ensure that it forever remains the government of the people.