The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-30
STANDING ARMIES.

Views Of the English Chancellor OF tho
ExchcQuer.
In speech made at Elgn by Mr.. Robert Lowe,
English Chancellor OF the Exchequer the 10th OF
September he reviews the existing war, and thus
speaks OF the lesson 1t teaches to the system of
large standing armies
There Is another lesson or consequence still more
agreeable. What we have been witnessing Is the
destruction Of most gallant standing army by
what ID not standing army, but an armed nation,
and that not altoge!her by the superior qualities Of
numbers which the fact OF their being an armed
nation has given them. think ! hear In that the
armies OF the Continent II they cannot protect the
nation against war with such q country as Prussia,
whose troops have to be called from the counter the
seems to mo that any nation that wishes to be
projected against invasion and against destruc-
other reason than because Its numbers are neces-
sary limited, but 1t must put arms In the hands Of
defence OF their own land. II that be- SO, see the
blessed results which will follow from 1t. One Is
freedom. nation which Is armed, and on whose
the call depends the safety OF the country
must necessarily be nation OF free men. They will
be armed, and their sovereign must govern in &C
SUPPORT when he gets involved in dniculty Il seems
me that this Is return to the sort OF rude liberty
enjoyed In the middle ages when the king was kept
their hands and would not suffer themselves to be
oppressed beyond certain limit. Then there is an
Oter gOOQ eUeCG, anu CnaL ID tnat Sucn an OrganlZa
ton is mainly useful for defensive wars. Had not
the heart OF the Prussian nation been III this 1t
would have been vain to expect from 1t the extraOr
binary efforts It mas made and it would have been
Impossible for the people TO assemble in SO wonder
fully short time II the people are to be consulted
the people will only fight when they see 1t to be their
interest, and think they will only see 1t to be for
their interest when it is for the sacred idea Of pro-
tecting their common country.
Whatever may be the end Of the contest, 1t must
be evident to all that Prussia entered upon 1t with
no desire to acquire territory, but merely to defend
herself from invasion. These things seem full Of
promise for the future they seem to promise more
enlarged freedom in the future than exists at pre-
sent they seem to hold out fair promise, II not for
universal peace at least for the prevention Of such
wars as this we are now Witnessing II kings must
rest upon their people. If they must depend upon
them and not hired soldiers, they must govern &C.
cordng to the will Of the people. II that be SO these
things may compensate for great deal OF the blood
shed and horror we have seen. Now, gentlemen. 1
have to apologize for trespassng too great length
on your tlme but have endeavOred, TO the best OF
my ability, to lay before you the present state Of
AFFAIRS think IL ought to be satisfactory TO you to
learn that there Is reason to doubt that enter
tain no apprehension OF being drawn into this
struggle, and, far as we are concerned, no effort
shall be wanting on our part to keep clear OF 1t.