land, to fix limits to themselves, and to allow their
place and share of importance to other rights and
other social forces. As, moreover, they have their
roots in the past and promise themselves a future, it
is their nature to take great account of time and its
power, and to be at once ambitious and patient.
Will modern democracy have the same wisdom?
Will it recognise that there are other powers besides
its own, and that there are necessities contrary to
its desires? Will it, in governing, acquire more
memory and more forecast? Will it learn to show
greater respect for the traditions of the past, to allow
less influence to the impressions of the present, to give
greater heed to the necessities and chances of the
future? Great and perilous questions these, which
still remain in suspense, and which must greatly
occupy the thoughts of honest and right-minded
men. Time will answer them. I trust that it will
answer them to the honour of free governments and
of humanity

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