Democracy: Democracy Advances

Jefferson's efforts, as he knew, would have a lasting international impact. The people of every nation were made aware that self-government was on the march. Lincoln's efforts, as he knew, would also have a lasting international impact. The people of the world were made aware that equal rights for all was the only sound basis for self-government.

The learning process for the human race has not been easy. Jefferson said "Rivers of blood and years of desolation must first pass over," before democracy could prevail everywhere. All of the non-democratic powers and structures had to be toppled. The wolves had to be driven into the same pens where formerly the sheep were held. Wolves do not go quietly into captivity. Such has been the history of the world all during the last several hundred years.

While Jefferson believed in the general concept of equality, it is by no means certain that he believed in the specific doctrine that all are entitled to equal rights. All during his life he owned several hundred slaves. He could not hold them in bondage and at the same time say he believed that all are entitled to equal rights. He never did say that. What he did say is that "all men are created equal," and they are "endowed with certain unalienable rights." But he did not say we are all endowed with equal rights- only "certain" rights.

When Jefferson wrote that "all men are created equal," everyone who heard or read that statement knew the challenge was worldwide. The fight was not going to be only against Great Britain. Jefferson was speaking out to the whole world and issuing a call to the people of every nation to rise up and shake off whatever form of tyranny was being used to control them.

It was Jefferson, then, who set the worldwide dimensions for the democratic world movement.

But prior to Lincoln's time the democratic world movement lacked agreed basic doctrines; doctrines to serve as the foundation of democratic society and democratic social structures. How could America claim to be a democracy when millions of its people were held in slavery?

As for the world at large, all of the rationales, all of the political theories, all of the dynasties, all of the power structures that in any way denied people the freedom to which they were entitled needed to be relegated to the scrap heap of history. There was only one principle capable of overcoming all systems of tyranny; there was only one principle capable of uniting the victimized masses of the world; there was only one principle capable of destroying all contrary principles and doctrines. But that principle had not yet been adopted anywhere in the world. That principle had not yet been laid down as the foundational basis for a free society in any country of the world.

When Lincoln came forward with his principle of equal rights for all it meant the end of slavery and a good deal more. The South heard what Lincoln said, knew he meant it, and prepared for war. The world watched in awe as Americans then waged an internal struggle to establish or disestablish equal rights for all. The effects of the Northern victory were many, but the single most important effect was that the principle of equal rights dislodged the principle of unequal rights.

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