The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-28
THE WAR CLOUD ON OUR CHRIST
MAS HORIZON.


land was received by Congress and
the country as the expression of a
patriotic sentiment which was we'll
calculated to stir the American heart
and arouse the noblest instincts of
the national honor. Its demand for
the observance and defence of the
Monroe doctrine is strong and inspir-
ing. Whether the special contention
of the President and Secretary Olney
is correct and this Monroe doctrine is
applicable to the pending dispute be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela,
the Commission now appointed must
determine; but the enunciation of the
Monroe doctrine by the President is
wholesome and is definite notice to
Great Britain that the United States
will not stand supinely by and wit
ness any aggressions by foreign pow
ers on the North American continent.
While he recognizes very clearly the
terrible conflict that would follow in
case of war between the two great
English speaking nations, he also
recognizes that there is still greater
calamity than this. namely supine
submission under the infiction of in
justice and the consequent loss of
national honor and self respect.
We do not apprehend that there
will be any war between the United
States and Great Britain. But to say
that such an event is impossible is to
rest in too easy security. We are
only thirty years removed from our
own Civil War. Great Britain, al
though she speaks our language and
is the parent state of this country; al
though we are allied to her by the
ties of kindred and vast commercial
interests, is no dearer to us than our
sons and brothers of the South, and
war with her for the maintenance of
the national honor is clearly within
the lines of the awful possibilities of
the future. If it comes it will be the
third time in our history and the con-
flict will be prolonged and bloody.
1t will not cease when once begun
until British dominion on this con-
tinent is ended forever and the Mon
roe doctrine is established and placed
forever beyond the reach of diplo
matte controversy
War would be an unspeakable ca
lamity for England as we'll as the
United States. Neither country de-
sires war and their statesmen and
diplomats will doubtless bend their
largest and most intelligent endeav-
ors to prevent such calamity. James
Russell Lowell in 1865 we'll voiced
the present attitude of the American
people when he said that war with
England is the greatest calamity ex-
cepting one, that could befall us
being afraid of it. The response of
the country and Congress to the
President during last week is evil
dence that the United States is not
afraid of war with the so-called
mother country if the awful necessity
of the Nations honor demanded it.
That emergency has not come as yet.
The prudent suggestion of the Presi.
dent for the Venezuela Commission
places it long way in the distance.
England will have ample time to re-
feet on the problem before the YER
dict of that Commission is reached.
By that time it may also happen that
Lord Salisbury and his cabinet will
be replaced by safer advisers of the
British Crown, and the now repudi-
ated proposals for arbitration may be
considered more favorably.
If the result of the Commissions
verdict is that the President and
Secretary Olney are mistaken in their
contention and that the Monroe doc
trine is not involved in the present
controversy, the American people
will abide by that decision, and will
not reproach their patriotic servants
for the noble stand they have mis-
takenly assumed.
THERE WILL BE NO WAR! The shad-
ows which now overcast our Christmas
horizon will pass away; the war cloud
will scatter and dispense. England
and America will remain at peace. But
the Monroedoctrine will stand, and be
more strongly entrenched in the ira
ditions and affections of our people,
and be more definitely affirmed
and more intelligently understood
by Europe and America in conse
quence OF President Cleveland's mes
sage, and the correspondence of his
able and patriotic Secretary of State.
OUR PROFESSION OF FAITH.