Page:Back to the Republic.djvu/45

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
The Golden Mean
41

seven, ten, seventeen, or any other plural number; the larger the number, the more extreme the polygamy. Promiscuity consists of ignoring the institution of marriage and forming domestic relationships with one or more "affinities," which results in illegitimate children and chaos in society; the more numerous the "affinities," the more extreme the promiscuity; but the monogamous marriage is a definite thing with fixed limitations: one man and one woman lawfully wedded, producing legitimate children and serving as a unit in society. Add one or more wives and you have polygamy; one or more affinities, and you have promiscuity.

The above classifications and illustrations are scientific and in accord with truth and common sense. Just so in forms of government. The republic is a definite, accurate thing with fixed limitations. Take away one or more of the four elements of a republic, and you have some degree of autocracy. Add one or more to the four elements of a republic, and it merges into democracy.

The law of degree also applies to forms of government. The more extreme the autocracy, the more vicious the government; and, on the other hand, the more extreme the democracy, the more vicious the government: but the more