The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-06
Peace

To-day is the one hundredth anniversary
Of tho formation OF the Committee OF Public
Safety in Paris. the beginning OF the pro-
tracted and bloody connections which did
not cease for twenty-five years. These
wars cost the nations Of Europe S. .O0o. 0O0. 900
In money and the loss Of 1000. 900 lives.
There was q period OF peace from 1915 to
1898. and then o renewal OF warfare. inter-
mittently. until 184s. when revolutionary
disturbances occurred in most European
countries. The loss by war during the
period then closing is computed at $5OO. OOO.-
900 In money. and at $50. 900 In soldiers lives.
After only six years Of peace the Crimean
war began in 1854. and listed until March.
1855. the date OF the treaty Of Paris. Three
years later tho Franco-Austrian war fol-
lowed In Italy. and these two conflicts en-
tailed upon the participants o cost Of
S2.00O. 000. 900 and the loss Of $780, 900 lives.
A brief two years OF peace preceded the
terrible civil conflict In the United States.
tho most desperate and momentous of
modern times. No computation OF the in
direct losses Is possible. but the national
debt. It Is known. increased from $50. 00O. 900
In 1851 to %. IT'S 900. 900 in 1896. an addition Of
more than 81. 500. 900. 900. exclusive Of the
Losses to the Confederacy. to the several
States. and to ind~lvlduals-very probably
a. much more. Ths fatalities In the two
armies are generally put ut about COO. 900.
Frances assault upon Mexico wal made
during the American civil conflict: so, too.
was ths sharp but short SchleswiY-H ol-
stein wa- in Europe. There was scarcely a
day OF peace before war broke out again
between Austria and Prussia; then came
the Franco-German war. ard these, with
wars In Spain. China. and South America,
cost $4,000. 900. 900 and 100000 lives.
On this followed another four years Of
peace. and then the breaking out OF HOSTILE
ties o. the Danube aud war between
Russia and Turkey. In March. 1878. the
provisional treaty OF San Stefano was
agreed upon. and since that time. for fifteen
years there has been no war between Inn
portant nations or In civilized lands.
Tho world Is at peace. For q longer period
than has been observed before. during the
present century or during the past ono hun
dred years. :hcre have been no conspicuous
bloody conflicts. Many European nations
have been paying the money penalty OF war
by maintaining hugo standing armies. ter
Efbly armed and perfectly drilled. But
ShOtO siuo poch ho iooo VI TIC III coAa-1n'o
story OF widows and orphans. no d.vasta-
tions OF lands and homes. and no new
veterans crippled in active service.
The anthem OF peace has superseded the
yeveill6 for tho time being. and may it long
80 be! The arts OF thrift and trade are
those most cultivated. and the general hap
piness Ia greater for this reason. In our
own country tho people. supreme in their
own authority. and stronger always than
the oflcial servants who perform the rou-
ane duties OF administration are secure
with but q handful OF soldiers. Tho terri
torial limits OF the republic are soon to BIO
extended. but only by pacific methods and
for the equal advantage OF all concerned.
Happy Is the era Of peace!