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102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
ception of this nature of the educated classes and the role
they are called upon to play in State and Society is especially
fatal in the case of Russia since the progress of recovery
from Bolshevism must necessarily be slow, owing to the
thinned ranks of educated men.
If democracy has any merit, it is the principle that class
rule should be replaced by a form of government representing
the will of the whole nation. Socialism in its most virulent
form of proletarianism is, therefore, the enemy of democracy
and in its very essence reactionary. It reverts to class rule
of a new and more objectionable order than existed before.
If any class proclaim its right to rule, at least it should be
in some way qualified for such pretence. Every employment
or occupation requires a certain knowledge and capacity for
successful accomplishment. According to the aristocratic
idea, the best should rule, and this principle was carried out
in Europe by entrusting such responsibility to those who had
the greatest stake and share in the country, and who were
proficient in the acquisition of learning and practical training.
Workmen, soldiers, and peasants, who by the declaration of
their representatives in Congress are to be the rulers of
Russia, cannot possibly claim such qualifications ; as long
as they belong to their class they have, individually, no
preponderating interest in the country, and their ignorance
makes them unfit for the duties of practical statesmanship.
One wonders what qualifications were possessed by the series
of leaders who seized the reins of government only to make
themselves conspicuous by their tragic blundering of public
affairs. The majority of the Generals and officers of the army
have been murdered or deprived of their position or
subjugated to an intolerable treatment, because the private
soldier refused to submit to any discipline and wanted to be
his own master.
It has been assumed that Tsar Nicholas intended to
conclude a separate peace with Germany and that the
Revolution saved the country from such treachery. But just
the contrary took place. It is an historic fact that the Tsar
was true to the cause of the Allies, and certainly did not
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