Any attempt to practice religious principles within the framework of the present political scene is fraught with difficulties that must not be minimized. For example, there could scarcely be a mistake more tragic than a naive attempt to introduce such principles into the present power struggle between the nations of the world. Nor is the attempt to combine religion with the intrigues in Washington apt to have any notable success at the present time. Any plea to accept political responsibility on an ethical basis must take account of the practical realities to be faced.
In spite of the �moral ambiguities� in such political endeavors, however, there has been a succession of men and women throughout the history of Quakerism who have felt called to enter public life even though it meant at times very difficult tensions in a government predominantly non-pacifist and committed to military defense, sometimes even to imperialistic conquest. Generally the Society has supported these attempts to witness to its principles in the political arena, though it has ever kept a watchful eye on such individuals lest they overstep the proper bounds of the Quaker testimonies and way of life.
The journals of the Quakers who worked actively in political affairs make abundantly clear the searching of conscience that accompanied their efforts. They knew the meaning of tension and �moral ambiguities� perhaps better than some who talk so much today about such problems. The lives of these Quaker men and women have much in common with the attempts of Gandhi in our own time to build a political program on an ethical foundation.
