Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-10-04
WAR

The humane, rejecting reader Of mans history
is sickened by the constantly recurring details oi
battles and Ibutchery-by accounts of the happi-
ness sacrificed, the privations endured, by thou
sands after thousands, in gathering from remote
corners Of the earth to MAIN and slaughter each
other.
Mere depraVity, 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 explana-
tiOn that is adequate.
Looking closely and steadily at the matter, we
detect the of this horrible jangle at least q
sure clue to it. War ravages nations af1icts and
destroys people, but strengthens Governments, ex-
ats rulers and enables those to enrich their favor
ties with the spoils Of plundered millions.
The lodging Of the commissary or contractor is
rapidly transformed into baronial castle his sud-
denly acquired estate is fattened with the gore OF
countless soldiers the tears of innumsrable widows
and orphans and while thousands are shivering
and freezing for want of the humble dwellings
which war has destroyed, his family rest secure in
lordy halls and revel in luxury.
Burke, We believe said Of this class that by means
of war " their equipages shine like meteors their
palaces rise like e1haatons." Well can they af-
ford to prate Of patriotism, right wrong" and
brIbe veRal orators with some share of their plum.
der to inhame the passions Of the duped mutitudes
aHd fool them into ensting to be shot at for some
beggary shilling or so day, and that often un-
paid
Will the mass never become wise enough to de-
feet and scout this swiudlng game Of murderi
Suppose Government to be weak or prohgate
"a case by no means unsupposable-Ind, therefore
in danger Of mourning popular odium or contempt.
1t desires to be strong in the public confidence but
without the virtue Of capacity to deserve that con-
fdence. 1t has one unfAiling reSort-to pick .
quarrel with some other Government That at
once withdraws public attention from its own
crimes vices gives it hold the popular feel
inks enables its satellites to call upon the people to
Support the country"-thAt is to rally around and
uphold the Executive in whatever he may pro-
Pose.
All inquiry is stopped-All watchfulness set
asde-appropriation are made by millions, and the
purse and sword put unreseryedly into the hands of
the Chief Magistrate to be welded at his pleasure
the latter against his enemies, the former in be-
half of his friends.
All who question the policy or the justice Of his
course are at once denounced IS traitors and ene-
mics Of the country.
Thus thousands are bribed by Office and gold to
cry up the war oil murmurs are stiaed IS treason
able and when at last disaster ard ter exhaus.
ton of resources compel q return to peace, a count
less host of pensioners, cripples, place men and
honest labor for fifty or hundred years to come.
The poor mans children must 60 to rest hungry
and grow up in ignorance, in order that the favor
ties Of rulers may glitter in "orders" and stars,
and riot on the spoils Of . people. Such is war.
Such is the small portion of the cost of the in.
famous cheat styled glory.-EschGngo paper.