I say that democracy can never prove itself beyond cavil, until it founds and luxuriantly grows its own forms of art, poems, schools, theology, displacing all that exists, or that has been produced anywhere in the past, under opposite influences.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of artistic and cultural development for the establishment and validation of a democratic society. It suggests that democracy cannot truly flourish unless it creates its unique expressions of art, literature, education, and spiritual beliefs that surpass the influence of the past. By creating distinct artistic and cultural forms, democracy establishes its identity and separates itself from other systems, demonstrating its vitality and ability to serve its people effectively.

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