The Fact of Democracy

THE FACT OF DEMOCRACY EDITORIAL 

There are no more words, no more programs, no more doctrines. The eloquence of this revolution was used up in the phrase "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." The great spokesmen of our movement have added poetry to truths and have decorated their syllables with hymns. But essentially there is no more to say - and no poetry left to express it.

The program began with the shot heard round the world, a solitary minute man and we had been living it out since. There are no more programs. There are the modern complexities - legal, sociological, political - but they are fragments - for the fact of democracy is the program of democracy. We know what we have to do. We know where and how the fight is to be thought. Essentially there can be no new plots and plans. There will be a history of deeds and schemes - but there has always been one.

The doctrine needs no renovation. The right is self-evident and critical. And it is right. In America we fight for it to be a vital right ; but, in one form or another it has always been with us. It is inalienable from our existence. To this doctrine one can only add pious reasons and spurious motivations. They will be tailored by friends as well as enemies; but they cannot obscure the indelible right.

An undeserved sobriety marks our actions today. We talk and we ponder. In some small way we commit ourselves. We think we have done something. We maintain one negro friend and wonder about the impression that the race issue makes on foreign diplomats.

This is something less than a major accomplishment. The commitment was made the day we first called ourselves Americans and the great words have become cliches. Something more is needed. Something more than polemics and musings. We must constantly ask ourselves whether what we are doing is effective. Do not expect to add to the music of the movement, it has been done already - and better.

There is a way that is as easy as it is symbolic. But it is effective. Donate to the support of SNCC. Add time. Add sweat. Add crusading. Then there is accomplishment