Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-13
AT mARoUAND CHAPEL,

Lecture by Professor Phelps-Inter-
 national Re1ations-Peace or War
 Among Nations.
 The little chapel in the Divinity school was crowded yesterday afternoon to hear Professor Phelps speak on International relations as affecting the peace of the world. After the singing of a hymn the lecturer spoke as follows: fWars are more numerous and far more destructive than formerly. The reason of this is that there are far better means for destruction and vastly greater facilities for transportation. Trade, commerce and money matters have changed the face of the world in this re- spect. The expense of wars has also vast ly increased. Such wars as those of Na- poleon and Frederick the Great would now be impossible, simply on account of the lack of money. The result of these considerations is that war has been far less frequent in recent years. Governments avoid wars with each other, for there is nothing they so much fear. Therefore they keep great standing armaments sim ply to make it profitable for another na- tion to make war upon them. England takes more defensive precautions to-day than she ever did before. Another reason for less frequent wars in that population has increased, and the people have begun of the century is democratic. The gov
 ernments have now all they can do to keep the peace at home. The time has but lately passed since the heads of nations could picker with each other and go to
 war, for the people have now the power,
 and there is no civilized nation sson., earth, except possibly Russia-which has in it's power to get on foot any considerable war. The world is no longer board for kings and generals to set up their pieces on. No people will stand it.
 Will war cease then, if it be true that nations are so anxious to avoid it? It will never cease till human nature ceases, though it will grow rarer and rarer. No curb will ever be devised, of religion, or morality or any thing else, which will re- strain war any more than crime. The true source of war lies, not in the nations, but in the excited feelings of the people. As long as people are friendly, not excited nor drawn into hostile attitudes, the dis pute will be made up, for there is always way of doing so. It is when the com bustible matter has been accommodating for long time, and something occurs to set it on fire suddenly-then no govern ment on earth can withstand it. The wrath of a great people is a terrible thing. England was carried off her feet by the Crimean war. She positively could not help war. The real point at stake was 80 small that we cannot believe it to have been the cause of the war
 which it really was not John Bright stood up boldly and asked them why they
 went to war; and though otherwise re- spected, he was slandered for it in the ex- citement of the moment. Our own civil war
 was another example What was it about! Would you find citizen in the south to-
 day who would wish the government brok- en up! No; but then there was great | heat. The lines of communication had run from east to west, but not from north to
 south, and these two sections knew com paratively little of each other.
 The war came about because the passions of one section had been aroused beyond control against the other, and vice versa. l After the firing on Sumter nothing could
 withhold them-though this was little
 thing in itself, and could easily have been l disposed in other circumstances. Imagine President Lincoln, Stanton and Webster soothing the matter over then and telling
 the people to be calm-it would have been
 as much use to talk to the tides of the sea- If you, then, as Christian men wish to benefit nations you must address yourself
 to the people.
 The same subject will be continued this | afternoon at the same hour.
 Death of Centenarian.
 DANBURY, March 12 Aunt Clara Burr
 formerly of Salem, N. Y., but for many
 years resident of Danbury, died to-day n
 her husband, aged eighty-fve years, sur 1 wives her.