Editorial August 17, 1918 Issue

Making Democracy Safe for the World

William P. McKenzie

When we speak of the world we have in view the inhabitants thereof, just as the prophet Jonah was made to understand that Nineveh was not an abstraction to be dealt with in a way to justify his prophesying, but was "that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle." The animals suffer with men where wickedness prevails, so that all creation expectant of good "waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." When men willingly receive guidance from Christ, Truth, then no more will the curse devour the earth nor they that dwell therein be desolate; that is, the conditions will cease to be which Isaiah saw as the result of ill doing among the inhabitants of the earth, "because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."

In our ears the word tyrant always implies the misuse of governmental power. When hereditary kingship was succeeded by free government in Greece men vaulted into the high seat of authority too often by fraud or force and such a king was named tyrant, indicating a despotic power acquired rather than the manner of using it. Experience, however, showed that in maintaining despotic power both law and humanity were too often disregarded. The tyranny became synonymous with oppressive taxation, cruel punishment, unjust demands. Citizens were made to endure hardships not required by patriotism but only by the ruler's caprice. Anyone now who misuses power in an oppressive or brutal way is sure to receive the name of tyrant.

In true government, however, there is no tyranny. The purpose of government is order, and good order gives opportunity for the happiness, growth, education, and useful service of all citizens. Under a good government a man will have the opportunity to do his best and will find encouragement to aspire to perfection. Jesus, speaking of the necessity for watching, asked, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" indicating that such a servant was blessed. He also spoke of the evil servant who in the absence of his lord "shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." This is a good picture of the unprincipled man who does evil to gain transient pleasure, who necessarily has "his portion with the hypocrites." The doom of such a one is in the words, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

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