East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-06-15
Greeley on War.

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Greeley in the N. Y. Tribune, May 20,
1916, written just after the people
(whigs and democrats) united to sup
port the country in the Mexican war,
and entitled "ABHoRRED BE WAR;"
"The humane, rejecting reader of
mans history is sickened by the con-
slant details of battles and butchery-
by accounts of the happiness sacrificed
and the privations endured by thous-
ands after thousands i'll gathering
from remote corners of the earth to
MAIN and slaugter each other.
Mere depravily, however great, is
not enough to account for this No
devils could be found silly enough thus
to torment themselves first, then one
another Sheer madness is the very
least explanation that is adequate.
Looking closely and steady ut the
matter, we detect the cause of this
horrible jangle, or at least a sure clue
to it, mar rarages nations, Gbaicts and
destroys people, bit strengthens gOeern-
ments, Gratis rulers and enables them to en-
rich their farorites 18th the spoils Of plun-
dered millions.
The lodging Of tho commissary or
contractor is rapidly transformed into
baronial castle; his suddenly ac-
quired estate is fattened with the gore
of countless soldiers, the tears of in
Vulnerable widows and orphans; and
while thousands are shivering and
freezing for want of humble dwellings
which war has destroyed, his family
rests secure in lordly halls and revels
in luxury.
Burke, we believe, said Of this class,
that by means of war "their equippage
shine like meteors; their palaces rise
like exhalations." Well can they
afford to prate Of patriotism, ''right
or wrong" and bride venal orators
with some share of their plumber to
inaame the passions of the duped null
titudes, and fool them into enlisting
to be shot at for some beggarly shil
ling or SO day, and that very often
unpaid.
VIII the mass nevor become wise
enough to detect and scout this swind-
ling game of murder?
Suppose government to be weak
or prohigate--a cause by no means
unsupposable-and therefore in dan
ger OF mourning popular odium, or
contempt. 1t desires to be strong in
the public confidence. 1t has one un-
falling resort-to pick quarrel with
some other government. That at
once withdraws public attention from
its own crimes or vices; gives it a hold
on the popular feeling; enables its
satellites to call upon the people to
support the country"-that is to raj
ly around and uphold the Executive
in whatever he may propose.
All inquiry is stopped all watch
fulness set aside appropriations are
made by millions, and the purse and
sword put unreservely into the hands
OF the Chief Magistrate to be WELDED
at his pleasure-the latter against his
enemies, the former in behalf of his
friends.
Al @hO question the policy or the jus
tee IF his course are at once denounced
as traitors and enemies Of the country.
Thus thousands are bribed by office
and gold to cry up the war; all MUIR
murs are stihed as reasonable; and
whom at last disaster or utter exhaus-
ton of resources compels a return to
peace, countless host of pensioners,
cripples, place men and fund-holders
are provided to eat up the avails of
honest labor for fifty or hundred
years to come.
The poor mans children must go
to rest hungry and grow up in igno-
rance, in order that the favorites of
rulers may glitter in "ordors" and
stars, and riot on the spoils Of peo-
pie. Such is war.
Such is small portion Of the cost
OF the infamous cheat styled glory.