One of my many Walter Mitty productions is a work entitled “Demos and Aristos: Reflections On Rousseau and Nietzsche.” The title for this, my first entry in this weblog, is more a beginning for my extemporaneous thoughts on politics, democracy, and wisdom–though “politeia” is, of course, also translated as “constitution” or “regime.” Democracy, especially the American variety, was succinctly and famously defined by Lincoln as “government … of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Yet Henry Adams in his autobiography criticized Lincoln for exactly his willingness “to stoop to argue with any dray driver” about politics or law. I would say that Lincoln was willing to reason with anyone in an attempt to come to some mutual understanding. Adams, who did not seem to like Lincoln or recognize his greatness, was almost revolted by Lincoln’s willingness to display good democratic manners. I like Adams’ writings but simply ignore his snobbery and impatience with Lincoln’s attitude toward a member of the “demos.”
I love Lincoln’s attitude, however deep the ironies swirling around such a performance. In like manner I love the story about his visit to General McClelland’s tent to talk to him about the progress of the Civil War (or lack thereof). A reporter upon noticing the President waiting patiently outside the General’s tent asked him how he felt about being kept waiting. He replied something like: “It doesn’t matter…. I’ll walk his damned horse if he’ll only win me this war.” The current holder of the Office of President has to have audiences vetted for agreement before he will even consent to speak in public. Should George W. Bush ever walk over from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial he will find himself dwarfed by this giant in more ways than one can politely suggest. Lincoln’s willingness to reason with anyone makes him not merely a great democrat, despite his being a Republican, but also a great man–in the words of the Great Stagyrite, a “great-souled man.” As Plutarch suggested in the “Moralia,” a contribution to a liberal and democratic republic is a good winding sheet for one’s funeral; a contribution to tyranical government is not such an honor at one’s death. George would do well to contemplate Plutarch’s words and to pray at the tomb of Lincoln if he wants to improve his performance as a President in a liberal democracy. With his naive belief in his “being called by God” to his position, he often sounds like a weak monarch trying to bolster himself up with an assertion of “Divine Right.” It makes him sound a lot more like the King George who inspired the American Revolution than the George W. who modestly returned to his farm after being the first President of a fledgling democracy.
