The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-25

The Peace Congress is in session In
switzerland this year. It's purpose Is to
bring about the settlement OF international
disputes by the force Of reason instead OF
tho force OF arms: and for that benign end
it has been laboring for many years.
Meantime oil tho nations surrounding
the little mountainous republic, in which
the Peace Congress is assembled. have been
preparing for wal with u ~tircless industry
never before expended by States for either
peaceful or military purposes. Their main
expenditures are for their ornaments. III
whole population OF each capable OF bearing
arm are under training MS soldiers. Their
chief business is in making ready for war.
As a means Of preserving peace their policy
is to warn off adversaries by going armed
to the teeth.
More than ever before they are relying
on the physical force for which this Pence
Congress would substitute the argument OF
reason. They turn to the savage method
of settling Quarrels as the only resort still
possible even in civilization. They make
ready to give q blow for a blow rs n ncces-
sity OF their existence. They get ready to
fight: and as there is general agreement
among tho statesmen and the people OF
Europe that such military preparations arc
essential. it may be assumed that they are
right under the present conditions. The
different States are not armed camps with
out good reason.
Even hore in this country ut this time 1t
has been demonstrated that military force
is essential for the preservation OF society
from disintegration. In three OF the great
est States OF the Union the law has been
compelled to call in the assistance of troops
for the q~uelling OF anarchistic insurrcc-
tions. Even the right to labor. tho inalien-
able right of every human being. has been
assailed by violence. and the attacks have
been SO fierce that they were too strong for
the civil authorities alone. and the citizen
soldiery have been compelled to come in
with arms for the defence OF society.
Never before were troops brought out for
a cause moro worthy. They have been
summoned to defend liberty assailed in its
most vital part. Without them these three
great States would have been given over to
mobs OF insurrectionists. who would have
terrorized many communities and ravagcd
wide districts. There is no question about
that. The exhibition Of military force and
OF the determination to use it for the pro-
lection OF social order and individual lib
erty, was an absolute necessity.
Thus we see that even in thisr republic
armament is essential for the preservation
| OF the State. Physical force is requisite
for keeping down the savag elements in
humanity. Instead of abolishing our State
militia, we have learned the lesson that we
must strengthen it as n terror to the
anarchical spirit which has been fostered
and is stimulated by the vile demagogues
who are preaching to the people that prop
erty is plutocracy. and that labor has no
rights apart from the privileges granted by
aminority Of the laborers organized for the
purpose OF dominating it.
The forces now most dangerous to the
State are those which are internal. They
are not the armies outside oft. Liberty is
not now in danger from political tyrants,
but from wild and ravenous social despots
disguised as friends OF the people. Hap.
PLY. these beasts Of prey are cowardly
creatures. and society needs only to draw
its arms to COW them. But tho arms must
be kept ready. for they arc conqucrable
only by fear.
The Peace Congress at Berne might well
turn its attention to this new phase
Of the military question. The present is
not a time when society can afford to dis,
arm itself. 1t Is useless to cry peace. peace,
when there is no peace.