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1919 667class democracy infected with the old theory of internationalrelations, however modified by concessions to a new broaderspirit of idealism. <strong>The</strong> peace which closes the war is evidentlyin part a prolongation of the past and a thing of the moment,its only importance for the future is its association with theplan for a league of nations. But this league also is a makeshift,a temporary device awaiting the possibility of a more perfectformation. Its insecurity lies in the degree to which it is a concessionto the past and founded on a present which is indeed stilldominant, but very evidently doomed to a rapid passing. <strong>The</strong>future destined to replace this present is evident enough in someof its main outward tendencies, in society away from plutocracyand middle-class democracy to some completeness of socialismand attempt at a broad and equal commonalty of social living,in the relations of the peoples away from aggressive nationalismand balances of power to some closer international comity. Butthese are only symptoms, feelings out, mechanical tendencies,not likely by themselves, whatever changes they bring, to satisfyfor long the soul of humanity. Behind them lies a greater questionof the spirit and ideal which are to govern the relations of manwith man and people with people in the age that is opening, themost critical because the most far-reaching in its hopes of all thehistoric ages of humanity.Meanwhile much is gone that had to go, though relics anddregs of it remain for destruction, and the agony of a sanguinarystruggle is ended, and for that there may well be rejoicing. Butif something is ended, all has yet to be begun. <strong>The</strong> human spirithas still to find itself, its idea and its greater orientation.

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