Page:Armistice Day.djvu/28

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6
ARMISTICE DAY

WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE IN

BY CHARLES W. ELIOT

Americans believe in individual liberty so far as it can be exercised without injury to the superior rights of the community.

In complete religious toleration.

In freedom of speech and of the press subject only to temporary restraint in times of popular excitement by public authority only.

In control of public policies and measures by representative legislative assemblies elected by universal suffrage.

In the executive head of the nation elected for a short term of universal suffrage and exercising large powers but under constitutional limitations.

In local self-government.

In a universal education which discovers or reveals the best function for each individual and helps him toward it.

In a free and mobile social state which permits each individual to render to the community the best service of which he is capable.

In resistance to evil men and governments and in the prevention of evils by every means that applied science has put into the hands of man.

In submission to the will of the majority after full discussion and a fair vote.