The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-20
Is w a. Dying Out.


There are some reasons for hoping that
war is gradually dying out, We have not
for some time had commercial wars like
those between England and Holland in the
seventeenth century, nor are we likely to
have them again except on II small scale
and with barbarous nations, suchas China
or with the petty potentates Of Africa.
Wars in support of the claims of dynastiea,
such as that OF the Spanish succession, and
armed litigation between 0onarchies about
their rights to Provinces in Italy or Ger
many, such as filled the eighteenth CEN
tary, are also numbered with the past.
There are general influences which tend in
the same direction. The people, formerly
food for powder, are now getting votes,
which regard for their own liYss and for
the enjoyment Of their wages, ifnot larg-
er philosophy, will lead them commonly
TO use in fayor OF peace. Science Is at once
rendering war fearfully expensive and di-
vesting it of the glitter and romance by
which, after all, it in some measure lived
1&iC Va 4AAC AE0f Lt1
Continent, SO organized under the federal
system as to maintain peace within it's pre-
cincts, and thus reaping the untaxed fruits
Of industry, may not be without It's effect
hand, neither revolutionary wars nor wars
OF nationality appear by any means to be
at an end. German nationality is yet hard
" settled, and may have to be once more
defended against French jealousy and re-
venge. oalvonic nationality Is question
evidently fraught with disturbance and
with the possibilities Of collisions between
great powers. Revolutionary anarchy NAV
again give birth to military despotism, the
full necessities OF which were proved by
the career Of the military despot who be-
gan by proclaiming, perhaps not insecure
", and certainly in accordance with his
personal interests, that his Empire was
peace. Conquest itself, and diplomatic
struggles for ascendency, have not yet ceas-
ed TO trouble; witness Afghanistan, Iunis,
and Egypt. The craters OF Communistic
volcanoes at Paris and Cartagena still
smoke, and other eluptions may be at
hand. The mere burden of The military
system, when il becomes intoIerabIe, NAV
lead some power TO rush to arms us the
only means OF breaking Il long deadlock OF
ruin. On the pacific influence of com
merce rather too much reliance his been
placed; nations, like men, are az often
governed by their tempera rs by their inter-
ests; moreover, tree trade does not gain
ground, nor is it possible that it should
gain ground while the import duties are.
needed 70 maintain vast arn1ameute. Ar
bitration makes way, but it's sphere is OBJ
viously limiteds legal questions such an
that of liability for the damage done by the
Alabama, or Il difference about i boundary
itmay settle, At least If the wrath OF the
parties is not violently excited; In qucs-
tiona OF natural independence or ambition,
such as those which led to the Italian and
Franco-Gefman wars, 1t is poweress.
Apart from specific causes OF quarrel, the
war spirit rs wei ~ the hunter Instinct
stIiliingers IN the .reast OF man. Nor Ii
opinion firmly settled even in quarters
where we should expect Ii to hs# 10. The
Free Christian churches may be reckoneG
as steady opponents of war. huE State
churches still Worship the God Of Battles,
IN de Maistre we find hGIeous passage
describing the earth asa vast altar OH which
saerffieesof human BLOOD must forever To
offered b. the swords andif Canon Noz-