of democracy as a living institution which is constantly growing,
developing, adapting itself to changed conditions.

50. WHAT IS THE PROMISE OF AMERICAN LIFE?--Rich in natural resources,
ample in extent, encouraging to man's helpful efforts, America
fulfills the first condition of national greatness. Intelligent and
industrious, law-abiding and, devoted to the building of homes, our
population fulfills the second condition.

Here we have all the raw materials out of which to build a great
nation. Already we have made marked contributions to civilization, and
yet it should not be forgotten that our chief claim to national
greatness rests upon the promise which we show of being able to
perfect American democracy.

To what extent will this promise actually be realized? As a nation we
are yet young, as a people we have scarcely begun the greatest
experiment in democracy which the world has ever seen. Shall we
endure, shall we attain to a half-success, shall we succeed
gloriously?

Much depends upon the extent to which each of us assumes the
responsibilities of citizenship. Those who have gone before us
conquered a wilderness, expanded and preserved the Union. But it is
not for us complacently to accept the result. Much has been done, but
much more remains to be done. Our goal is the greatest possible
perfection of our economic, social and political life. Each age may be
said to have its peculiar burdens and responsibilities: the prime task
of the colonist was to foster the tender shoot of democracy; that of
the western pioneer was to fashion homes out of a wilderness; the