with hopes as well grounded as those entertained by Americans; yet they have seen the spirit of their institutions depart, and the historian has finally noted the fact that the ancient institutions have been superseded by others. In view of the dependence of democracy on transitory material conditions, and the absence here of conspicuous obstacles to change, America appears to be drifting towards a state of society less democratic than that of the present. In cases of such a transition the departure of the democratic spirit is not immediately followed by the overthrow of democratic institutions. This is abundantly illustrated in political history. While Mexico, in her actual administration, is as completely a monarchy as Spain, she retains all the constitutional forms that were created to give expression to the spirit of democracy. Rosas, of the Argentine Republic, found it unnecessary to change the law, or to modify the condi tions of universal suffrage, in order to maintain absolute rule. Whenever, in the normal growth of society, it becomes neces sary for the government to adapt itself to the modified character of the nation, this is not necessarily accomplished by a sudden revolution, or by any process attracting popular attention. Gradually, and by an almost imperceptible movement, one department or element in a government assumes functions not originally accorded to it by law, but which are later confirmed by law; and thus while the governmental form changes, the ideas of the people change also. The Roman Republic grew into the Empire, in spite of the strong devotion to republicanism which the people had previously manifested; and because they had gradually accepted new ideals, there was no more popular dissatisfaction with authority under the later than under the earlier form. Such a transition is in some sense characteristic of the change through which a growing society passes in developing along the line of least resistance. In so far, therefore, as the extreme democratic form of administration involves the maximum of governmental friction, will there appear a tendency to depart from it as the business of government becomes difficult, by reason of the great variety and technical character of the practical problems, or as the need for prompt and decisive action becomes imperative. The proper conduct of military affairs, whether under republican or monarchical rule, demands such action; consequently the army of a democratic state has essentially the same organization as the army of a monarchical state; and this organization is determined. by the conditions and purposes of military life, by the social disposition to proceed by the course of greatest institutional efficiency. Furthermore, in its essential nature a great city in America does not differ materially from a great city in Europe. There may be certain artificial or accidental differences, but as a social product one is like the other. They stand for the same things in the history of progress; and if one form of administration is found to be better than all others in one country, it is to be expected that rational progress will lead to the acceptance of this form in other countries. If the method of municipal administration by a strong centralization of power is found to be most effective in England, France, and Germany, there is no reason for sup posing that a different method for a similar body will be most effective in America. LECTURE II. CONFLICT AND SOCIALISM. PROMINENT accompaniments of the fundamental tendency in the growth of our society are the discontent of laborers, the conflicts with their employers, and the extravagant expectations which many persons entertain concerning socialism. This discontent is not, however, an indication that the lot of the people is exceptionally hard. In the United States there is no want of unrest and agitation, but, taking everything into consideration, the bulk of this nation enjoys a degree of material well-being not attained elsewhere. No other land furnishes the laborers more nearly an adequate reward for their efforts than this. The persistent complaints and even the reports of serious strife, which are heard here, are not evidence of an op 36 |