On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will

Hearken, children of the ages yet to come, and heed the sharp and cautionary words of H. L. Mencken, who declared: “On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” In this acerbic reflection lies a warning as old as civilization itself: the triumph of democracy demands vigilance, wisdom, and discernment, for the governance of a people may falter when fools rise to positions of power.

Mencken’s words speak to the eternal tension between the will of the many and the wisdom required to govern. The ancients understood this well: Plato, in The Republic, warned that a state could be led astray when the unwise ascend to authority, and Aristotle cautioned that liberty alone does not secure justice unless tempered by prudence. Mencken observes the perils inherent in popular passion unchecked by reason: a populace may desire simplicity, entertainment, or charisma, yet these qualities do not guarantee virtue or capability.

Consider the tale of Nero, emperor of Rome, whose rise to power reflected the whims and manipulations of the court and populace alike. While his reign was celebrated in certain circles early on, the consequences of unwise leadership became a lesson etched into history: misrule, decadence, and chaos followed when power was entrusted to the incapable. Mencken’s observation echoes this ancient truth: the elevation of the unfit leads not to glory, but to peril, and vigilance is the duty of every citizen.

The humor in Mencken’s phrasing belies its gravity. To say the White House might be “adorned by a downright moron” is to illustrate the ridicule and absurdity that may accompany poor leadership, yet beneath the wit lies a serious call to awareness. The ancients often employed satire to awaken understanding, from Aristophanes’ plays to Cicero’s speeches, recognizing that laughter can open eyes to folly more sharply than lamentation alone.

History offers modern parallels. Consider the rise of leaders celebrated for style over substance, who promised ease while neglecting the burdens of governance. The consequences, whether in mismanaged policy, weakened institutions, or societal division, underscore Mencken’s warning: the desires of the many must be tempered by reason, knowledge, and careful judgment. In this, the public’s role is sacred: participation must be informed, discerning, and courageous.

From this reflection emerges a timeless lesson: democracy, while a blessing, carries the weight of responsibility. Citizens must educate themselves, cultivate discernment, and resist the seduction of charisma or simplicity alone. Leadership demands wisdom, not mere popularity; governance requires understanding, not the mirage of entertainment. Mencken reminds us that the safety of the state rests in the judgment and vigilance of the people.

Practical guidance flows naturally: engage with political processes thoughtfully, study history and policy, and cultivate the courage to question those who seek power without competence. Elevate virtue, knowledge, and reason in both discourse and vote. Satire, humor, and critique are tools, not distractions—they sharpen understanding and guard against the folly Mencken feared.

Children of the ages, let this warning echo in your hearts: freedom is precious, yet fragile, and the ascent of fools to positions of influence imperils all. Honor the weight of civic duty, cultivate discernment, and strive for leaders who embody wisdom, integrity, and competence. For the vigilance of the citizenry is the shield of the state, and only through careful judgment can the glory of democracy endure, resisting the folly that Mencken so wittily—but wisely—forewarned.

If you wish, I can also craft a more dramatic, narrative version, evoking the rise and fall of leaders, with imagery that brings Mencken’s satire and warning to vivid life, ideal for oral storytelling. Do you want me to do that?