The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

epublics are based. Popular government is an
experiment upon the heart of man; a higher, that is,
a more self-sacrificing, grade of citizenship is
required from the individual in order that the
higher form of national life may survive and
prosper. It is possible for a monarchy to continue to
exist, even although great crimes are committed in
the name of the state; even though justice and the
rights of men and peoples are mired beneath the
mailed heel of arbitrary authority. In the doing of
these things a monarchy violates no natural law of
its being or its life. It is not so with a republic. This
is founded upon right, not power; this is laid in
righteousness, not iniquity. When once power is
substituted for right, and iniquity for righteousness,
the republic, in the nature of things, is transformed
by these very acts into a despotic grade of
government. It may continue to wear the insignia
and badge of freedom, but the life, the sacred fire,
has flickered and gone out in darkness. The image
may remain, but ‘t is only a death mask; the vital
breath has fled. If republics endure, their citizens
must not only know the right, but they must do the
right. This the people of the Roman republic, in
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