We fall back on the old maxim: "That which touches all shall be approved by all," and can perceive no other way of obtaining that general approbation for the laws than by the popular election of our representatives.
Demagogues may exploit the popular will, the cunning and unscrupulous in power may have us at their mercy, in our folly and indifference the nation may be brought to grave losses; but still there is always the means of recovery for the well-disposed while the vote remains in their hands.
So it is that, in spite of obvious failings and shortcomings, democracy by representative government remains for nations throughout the world that have not yet tried it the goal of their political striving.

We are alive to the imperfections of democracy.

It is no automatic machine for conferring benefits in return for taxes.

It is the creation of mankind, not a revelation from heaven; and it needs, like all good human things, constant attention and can bear many improvements.

It has to be adjusted from time to time to suit the growing capacities of mankind--as the popular assembly gave way to the representative assembly--and only on the failure to make the adjustment does it get rusty and out of order.