Atlanta Daily World

LET'S CONTINUE OUR FAITH IN DEMOCRACY: SOME DAY THE NEGRO WILL ENJOY IT, TOO

Is it worth while to have faith in democracy? The answer might suitably be--democracy has never failed us in a crisis. The international convulsions have caused diverse reactions upon our national life. Internal dissensions have added their contribution to the sum total of our maladjustments. But everywhere there the urge to stimulate thinking and action in the interest of a planned and rational organization of world life. There is a growing consciousness in America that none of us shall be secure until all of us are secure.

It is likely that many persons have come to distrust or to feel skeptical of democracy. They are confusing the abstract concept of democracy as a social and political philosophy with the perverted functioning of government machinery, economic and social action in the name of democracy, in this and other countries. But do not be led astray by current preachments against either religion or democracy. Let not the glib disciples of "godless"isms" undermine your faith in God and your country.

In the nation of Europe, the individual, in his speech, his property, his time, and his personality, is subject to the whims of the governments. That is not the democratic way. Democracy believes that liberty and progress go hand in hand, while despotism leads always to stagnation and decay. Democracy faces a crisis, but the new leadership, in this country for instance, has a new program, a new interpretation of democracy under which freedom survives while we move toward the solution of our problems. In that type of democracy we can and must have faith.