The Henson Journals

[89]

Saturday, May 14th, 1927.

Faith in democracy as a basis for government and society, once almost unanimously accepted in this country, now stands challenged openly and powerfully throughout the world because of the inefficiency of democratic governments … Only if the people of America make their democratic institutions efficient, can this nation ward off the absolute State as the basis of government and life, with consequent loss of individual liberties, as in the Soviet and Fascist experiments.

President Nicholas Murray Butler

At Celebration by the University of Virginia of the 184th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth. v. The New York Times April 14th 1927.

This is a pronouncement which sets one thinking, and the more 'furiously' since it comes from the most self–confident democracy of the world, which condescended to fight for no other reason than "to make the world safe for democracy". The President names as one of the conspicuous evils of modern democracy "the abstention from voting of large percentages of the electorate." Is this evil largely the result of the lowering of the franchise, and the multiplication of elections?

[90] [symbol]

I made a start on the Cathedral sermon for May 29th. In the afternoon Brooke walked with me round the Park, and then returned to Gateshead.

Colonel & Mrs Cuthbert Headlam with Mr Bell came to dine, also Lady Thurlow. He apprehends that there may be some serious opposition to the Revision Meaure in the House of Commons. He says that the Archbishop of York made a very favourable impression on the Members when he addressed them on Revision. He was not present when the Bishop of Norwich spoke on the other side, but he understands that he was not very effective. He says that the Prime Minister is plainly feeling the strain of the work in Parliament: he dislikes the situation into which has come, and feels the hostility of the Labour folk. We discussed the probable successor, if Baldwin could not continue in office: & were reluctantly driven to the conclusion that Austin Chamberlain was probably inevitable. Churchill ought to be Prime Minister if ability and achievement determined the appointment: but the country would not suffer it. Colonel Headlam spoke with energy against the folly of giving votes to the "flappers"; and said that doing so would probably lose him his seat.

Lady Thurlow was very cheerful. She says that the Bishop of Liverpool would be preserved from many blunders if he had had some parochial experience.

---