Washington sentinel., 1854-01-25
AGITATORS.

very few men love war. Most people abhor
it. The honorable Mr.. Smith hates it, not
Mr.. Smith of Alabama, nor Mr.. Smith Of Ten
nessee, nor Mr.. Smyth of Texas, nor Mr.. Smith
ofVirginia, but Mr.. Gerrit Smith of New York.
Mr.. Smith is both philosopher and philanthro-
pist. He is gentleman of acknowledged
ability and enlarged philanthropy, but he
has very bad way Of showing both. For
urbanity and for eloquence, he stands higher
than any abolitionist has ever stood in Congress-
But his ability is frittered away on abstrac-
tons, his benevolence on imaginary objects
But Mr.. Smith abominates war. He so told
the country in his speech, delivered when the
subject Of the military academy was before the
House. Mr.. Smiths speech was quite long.
1t was handsomely expressed, and was charac.
terized by spirit Of morbid humanity. He
thinks there ought to be no wars; we agree
with him in that He thinks there would be
no wars if all nations would agree that there
should be none. In that perhaps he is right.
But, whether other nations unite in an enduring
and universal peace compact or not, he would
have this nation to resolve not to 60 to war.
He sees no utility in armies, arms, and mill
tary establishments. He calls upon us to dis
pense with them. National debts are created
by national wars, and divers other things that
follow in the train Of grim-visaged war are
mentioned by him. He says;
Sand were America now to disarm herself,
even to the extent of abandoning the policy
and practice of war, and were she to cast her.
self for protection on the worlds heart, she
would find that heart worthy of being so trust
ed Not only would the other nations of the
earth be ashamed to take advantage of her
disarmament, but they would love their confd-
ing sister too well to do so'
He thinks that an armed force is necessary,
but only to be used against the hostes human
generis.
He thus closes his speech:
Pass these war bills, sir, and carry out the
Presidents war recommendations, and you will
contribute to continue that deep and long
stream of sin and sorrow which war has poured
down through every age Of the world; but de-
| feat these bills, and frown upon these recon-
mendations, and there will be Joy on earth, and
JOY in heaven"
Mr.. Smith belongs to that class Of men
known as periectionists They strike out pref
ty theories for amelioratng the condition Of
mankind, and for making all virtuous, innocent
and happy. Such theories when carried fully
ont, end in the subversion Of civil institutions
and in returning to a state of nature. To &C.
complish ideal good, they do real injury. In
the pursuit of shadows and phantoms, realities
are lost sight Of
The idea of making no preparations for war
is an absurdity, when all other nations con-
stantly keep up their military establishments
He has read history to but little advantage,
who has not seen that the timid, the weak, the
unarmed, have in all ages become the prey Of
the strong and the armed oppressor. But it is
needless to discuss this subject with gravity,
nor is it our purpose to do so. 1t is simply our
object to show the contradictions in which per
sons of Mr.. Smiths peculiar cast of mind in.
yolve themselves
They are in favor Of peace and harmony, and
yet they are constantly disturbing the tranquil
ity Of the country by their insane attacks ON
their brethren Of the south, They are patterns
OF purity and meekness. They quote scripture
with wonderful solubility, and on all occasions,
yet they are the fercest agitators in the coun-
try. Their denuncations are always full of
bitterness, oftentimes of blaspbemy They af
feet to be fond Of order and decorum, and vet
their assemblages are like those Of manacs,