The Dominion SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1910. ADVENTUROUS DAYS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1910. ADVENTUROUS DAYS

A pessimistic view of the trend of political and social events is taken in a striking article in The Times Literary Supplemcnt vevicviing Dean Inge's two volumes on The Ihilosophy of Plotinus. The reviewer expresses the opinion that there is only too much reason to fear that what will succeed the most devastating war that civilisation has yet seen may be an age' of almost unendurable oppression for that "middle class" from which most of the world's thinkers have come.

We may be condemned, he adds, to a period of government b.v unstable groups of political adventurers, compelled by their situation to stave off the collapse of th'e last vestiges of social order by the-systematic payment of blackmail (o the proletariat at the expense of - a steadily flying middle class. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the worltl may bo even now on the verge of a "Dark Age,"' even darker than that which' lasted .from the days of. Justianian to those of Charlemagne.

It is, no doubt, within the bounds of possibility that this gloomy forecast may be verified by coming events, but it is by no means irrational to look for a much mol'c cheerful-'future—at' any rate, for the English-speaking peoples. History justifies us in putting our trust in the common sense'of the average Britisher. In the past, he has preferred the path of reform to that of revolution, and ho is not likely now to indulge in those mad orgies of senseless destruction which have characterised the Russian upheaval. Hi is not built; that way. Dur- ; ng the last two or three years some political prophets have predicted with the utmost confidence that when the peoples of the- various nations had an opportunity of -expressing their wishes at the .ballot-box tho iconoclasts would securo overwhelming victories. But this foreboding has not been justified by events. The elections which have ; recently been held in Britain, tho United States, Spain, Norway, and Germany resulted in tho defeat of, the extremists. It is, however, certain that far-reaching political, social, Stnd industrial changes will tako place. We have .entered into an era of great adventures, the consoquenccs of which it is impossible to foresee; but it.-is on-the.-vhqle more reasonable to assume that the result will bo the emergence of a better world than that we are doomed to sink back ; into a "Dark Age'/' - ' • The Times reviewer thinks that the great task of spiritual men in a society which' threatens' to fall back into' barbarism will be to withdraw quietly out- of the political arena, to cultivate "the spiritual life in philosophic poverty, and to preserve the spiritual tradition of Hellenic civilisation from; utter destruction by the general'deluge." But such a refusal to take part in the difficult and' dangerous task of reconstruction would be deplorably lmhcroic. It is impossible t'o praise "fugitive virtue" of this sort, which, to use the words of Milton, "never sallies out'and seeks hir enemy, but slinks out of the race" in which victory cannot be won without facing dust and heat.'' In. these critical,'days we must press hard forward, "buffcf.ted -and scarred" .

By billowy howled at, tempest-torn Towards blue horizons far away. No man has a right to shirk public duty and shut himself 'up'- in his study simply because he. thinks he is in .a. minority. Each one ought to do his uttermost to , promote the commonweal. To assume that disaster is inevitable is to court' disaster. We are_' captains_ of our own fate, and'it is' well within our power to convert the present turmoil and distress into a splendid future. There are, : no doubt, many resemblances 'between the days in which' we are living and the unhappy-third' century, but there are also many differences. There is a fascination about the comparative . method of historical study," but it has been said with much truth that its rashapplication has been a most fertile source of error. Me. Geoiige iTrevelyan is on firm ground when he tells us that-"History cannot prophesy the future." _ It can, however, "mould 'the mind itself into the capability of understandinggreat affairs and sympathising with other men."'. It can teach us many 'useful lessons, for," human, nature does not alter much or quickly. Men are actuated by much the same motives in .all ages, and. the fundamental problems _of life do ; not I'greatly vary. ; History is' therefore & reliable' teacher, in .its proper sphere, blit .we must not expect from it more than it. is capable of giving. Though we are fully justified in declining to- be dismayed" bv. 'the woeful predictions of the pessimists, it would be. a disastrous mistake to shut our eyes to the perils that beset us on every side, or to drug our souls with the fatal idea that we will drift easily, and passively through all'our troubles and anxieties into a golden age of peace an* plenty with the blessed' word "democracy." on our lipS. The war has made democracy inevitable; but democracy is still on its trial. It has not yet demonstrated that it is the only possible or the best ■or most stable form of government for civilised peoples. * In a remarkably fine address recently delivered in London, the Anglican Bishop ■of Bathursl; (Dr. L.ong) reminded his hearers that, in spite of the experiences of the past five years, democracy has not yet been put to the supreme test.

We have had (.lie said) progressive democracy with us in several countries for a considerable period, but not yet lins it come to a full realisation of its power. It has been gradually gathering momentum, and in later years at a greatly accelerated pace, but it has yet to come to a sense of. complete mastery even in such an entirely democratic country as .Australia.

I)r. Loxg is a whole-hearted democrat. He believes that democracy is the one hope for society, and does not agree with those who rieelarc that it has already bad its chance and failed. He says the national democracies of to-day are a new thing in the world. ' Tho democratic movement is an adventure. "Jl will demand faith and infinite patience with its follies and misdemeanours." Yet the future of the world depends upon the success or failure of this inevitable adventure. It therefore behoves every one of us to throw himself heart and soul into the all-important task of making it a success. "Democracy has for its social faith," savs l)i;. Long, "the educabiJity and I,lie salvability of ftich social unit, and proclaims the worth of each to enter into self-realisation through fullest co operation in social, national, and

politic.il life." With the hope of establishing a democracy of this type to spur us on, it is tragically misleading to assert that "the main service that spiritually-minded men will have to render to their kind will not lie in the direction of immediate influence on .political affairs.' 1 Bishop Long is undoubtedly right when he calls upon all such men to assist in establishing democracy on just and stable foundations, and to engage "in tireless warfare against the bane and ruin of democracy—indiscipline and class hatred.'' The..Bishop has seen at close quarters the dangers and weaknesses of democracy which throws up to the surface the imsatr, the demagogue, and the rascal with the greatest- ease, but rarely expresses its true mind in the men whom it erects. The workers look with contempt on the majority of their representatives. "In this contempt of their own class lies much of the secret of the growing-indiscipline of society. _ Contempt of the chosen soon grows into contempt of government and of State order." The Bishop holds that Christianity is in sympathy, with the fundamental principles of democracy, and declares'that in this great moment' of history "the clamorous and massive needs of society for inspiration, sympathy, and guidance are making a compelling appeal to the garnered wisdom ayl spiritual experience of Ihc Christian. Church.".