The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-23
SACRAMENTO REcoRDun1oN SATURDAY FEBRUARY 81 1895


exists, not because it is proper and right
in itself has God sanctioned war. but
because ofthe hardness of mems hearts,"
But when will this necessity cease
When we remember that this dreadful
work of the destruction of human life
and property in war has been going on
from the beginning until now, with but
slight intervals, that the account of the
bloody struggles between the nations of
and tribes OF earth constitute the bulk of
human history, and human blood has
been poured out in sufficient quantities,
If gathered into one vast pool, to float the
navies of the world. We are constrained
to cry out, ''How long, 0 Lord, holy and
true" before the prophecy which Thou
hast inspired shall be fulfilled, that men
shall learn war no more, and nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, but
the sword shall be beaten into a plow-
share. and the spear into pruning hook -
and 1t shall no longer be said that war
and Niagara thunder to music of their
own"
That such day may come is the sim
cere desire OF every lover of humanity,
and the con fident expectation of all who
believe IN the final triumph OF the Prince
OF Peace. For the prophets have foretold
Its coming, and Jesus has taught us to
pray for it in the petition-"Thy king
dom come" for His kingdom is peace
But when shall these things be, and
what are the signs of its coming. At
present we hear of wars and rumors of
wars. The United States seems to be at
peace with all mankind, and ready to adj
just differences between other nations.
But tie war cloud is hanging over our
neighbors and South America continues
to enrich her soil with human blood.
while in the Orient war is going on with
II al al fI1r In I'D,
time OF peace, because a longer period
OF time than usual has passed since they
had great war. But when we see that
the nations OF Europe are grooming under
their heavy burden OF war tax, and con-
slider their active preparations for war,
and that more than thirty millions OF
armed soldiers are ready to unsheath the
sword as soon as the first signal gun is
fired, we can only consider the peace OF
Europe to-day an armed truce. There
seems To be general demand for in
creased preparations for war. l know it
is said this is the best way to preserve
peace. But shall we have peace at such
COST Not so much the cost in money as
the sacrifice of SO many young men, in
the prime of manhood, to lives of inactiv-
lty and apparent uselessness. Must we
continue 10 support such vast police
force ''to keep the peace?" If so, shame
to man.
But are there no hopeful signs? What
ever may indicate that man is becoming
wiser and better may be looked upon as
indications OF progress toward the reign
OF peace. AS the races of men are lifted
from the ignorance and superstition of
barbarlsm they will learn that there is
better way to adjust their differences than
to appeal to the sword, just as they have
learned that dueling is crime, and that
1t determines nothing as to real manhood,
but Is only display Of physical or brute
courage. The same principle is being ap-
piled 10 war; and the disagreements be-
tween nations are now frequently settled
by arbitration. 1t was the fond hope of
the good Prince Albert that such exhi-
billions as that which he inaugurated and
carried forward so successfully, held in
the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, in 1851,
would be the means of binding the ma
tons together, and create such lnterna-
tlonal interests as would constrain the
world TO live In peace. While his hopes
have not yet been realized, doubtless
such eXpositions have a tendency ia this
direction. Some have thought that the
fact that the nations Of the earth are SO
bound together to-day by community
interest that one cannot suffer without
all the others suffering with it that this
would restrain them from hastily rush
ing 10 arms, as well as the facts that
war IS so expensive and so destructive OF
human life.
But these things are not sufficient to
restrain the angry passions of men. Nor
are they to be looked upon as signs of the
speedy coming of the day of permanent
peace, only as they may indicate the up-
lifting UE man himself TO a higher intel
leCtu2l, moral plane. A more hopeful
sign Is to be seen in the fact that the bar
barous cruelty that formerly character
Izeu war has largely passed away-we
seek to Kill people in very genteel way,
and try to give them a decent burial
Alter Woundlng, mangling and manning
men, we bestOw great deal OF sympathy
upon them. and care for them tenderIy,
PRISONERS are not butchered, or enslaved
Tor life as OF old, but treated kindly. and
IN Que time are hidden "go and sin no
more" We are glad to see that this hui
name spirit has prevailed with Japan in
the present war with China. Now it is to
be hoped that the spirit of tenderness and
sympathy Will become so prevalent that
the terrible work which creates such OBJ
Jects OF sympathy VIII cease; and that
which has been THE corruption and dis
grace OF man" will have passed away forss
ever. When the spirit of the Prince of
Peace shall permeate the hearts OF men.
and Christian nations become nations OF
Christians" they Will learn war no more
j. w B.