The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-02
From the National Era.
Thoughts for the People.
ISTERSATIONAL WAR.

The question Of the right Of Gov FERN.
menis to enforce their mandates by the
sword; of nation to defend itself, when
attacked, after having done all it could TO
avert the blow; of an in,u ed people to un.
sheath the sword agains, oppressive rulers;
and Of an individual to shed blood in self
defence. are all grave questions. No pos
sible objection can be raised TO full and
free discussion Of them.
But, totally distinct from all these, is the
question Of International War Tor the set
Element Of national controversies. From
time immemorial, the custom has prevailed.
Christians OF the fist and second centuries
strenuously opposed; those OF the third, by
degrees, fell in; since which, little opposI-
ton has been offered. Christianity having
rather 10 mitigate the evils Of war, than TO
remove the causes. Ii We except the
Ouskers and few peace men, literally
branded with the epilhets OF enthusiasts
and fanatics, very few have made anything
like an earnest resistance TO the custom Of
war. Like rowdieS, whose honor must be
intact, who sPurn the slow movements Of
law and public opinion. the nations, after
liule or no effort at negotiation, have rush.
ed TO the combat. The custom has ecome
old. Ii is time-honoGed Its evils have
pressed heavily upon the millions, but they
have learned 10 bear them without think
ing why. War-ulers do not like TO have
US think. They would have US obey
rather. II we were TO think, we might
propose troublesome cushions. We might
ask why is the war sy, TEN sustained at such
immense expenses Of life and neasure!-|
They would not love to answer, "loI the
special benefit of few, who thereby con-
tive 10 figure in the worlds history"
The interested few, doubt not, hive
made war popular. Its they. not the PEG
pie at large. who love war. They and
their friends have made ii about as much
as ones reputation fr common sense, for
sinity even, is worth, to speak against the
system.
An unmeaning twatile about the national
honor, an everlasting ringing Of changes
on the importance Of bling always prepar-
ed for war, and fulSome glorifcatiOn Of
military men, got up and kept up, generally
by themselves and their parIisans, and rem
dered the war system, I'LL OF late, seemingly
impregnable. Men dared not speak and
write their thoughts. But "a better time
has come. We may now ask questions,
and answer them If we can. We may in
quire, whence originated the custom Of war?
BY whose auspices is it sustained? Who
bear its burdensl Who suffer by IT'D Who
profit by itl Is it necessary Can no
substitute be introduced? Why cannot
the controversies Of nations, like those OF
individuals, be adjudicated in some CON-
mon sense, rational wayl advise the
reader to push these inquiries to a satisfac-
tory solution. Why should we fail to be
informed on questions of so much interest!
Happily, books adapted to aid the invest
CATION are now offered TO the public. "The
Peace Manual" which is, or ought to be,
for sale at all the book stores, will show
facts and rea~onings OF which few are
aware. "Jay's Review Of the Late War, "
a thoroughly searching, but most impartial
work, will throw flood Of light on the
above inquiries. Other works now offered
to the public are worthy OF commentator
Read, think and decide. Every American
citizen ought to be able to sustain the war
system INTEL gently, or to condemn it earn
estly. PAGIFIcUs.