Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot mean anything less.

The popular will cannot be taken for granted, it must be created.

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not constitute a progressive and formative political principle, but it pointed in the direction of a constructive formula.

Democracy must stand or fall on a platform of possible human perfectibility. If human nature cannot be improved by institutions, democracy is at best a more than usually safe form of political organization . . . . But if it is to work better as well as merely longer, it must have some leavening effect on human nature; and the sincere democrat is obliged to assume the power of the leaven. [Progressive]

I am not a prophet in any sense of the word, and I entertain an active and intense dislike of the foregoing mixture of optimism, fatalism, and conservatism.

Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair chance, the better American future will be dangerously compromised.

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and humiliation.