New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-26
PEACE-GOODWILL.
columns.

Truths sometimes crowd each other. CHRIST
mas brings to mind the duty OF peace ana good
will. But il may also be duty to protect Units
fans AGAINST fanaticjsm end massacre 1t may
o,so no q duty in some contingencies to main
,oir National rights. Christmas Day in 1850
did not call all Union soldiers to lay down their
arms Even AS the Puritans were sturdy fight
crs when fighting became duty, so the lor'lest
ond hest DEVELOPMENT of the spirit Of peace does
NOT frown upon resistance to wrong. The les
son of the hour is that where Two du'les seem
70 conflict there should be sincere and candid
scrutiny Of facts and motives, that the spir't Oh
goodwill to all mankind should not be lish'iy
thrust aside at the bidding Of any lower impuise'
that peace should not be broken except AT the
dictates of clear and unmistakable duty, when
has for its ultimate end the true advancement
Of mankind. =,
Such problems call for much caution as well
as much sincerity 1t Is not always du'y 10
defend Christians from wrong. wheE by DONG
ca q greater number Of Christians would he
exnosed TO wrong Assertion OF undoubted
rights is not always duty if by so doing other
and greater rights will be imperied. And yet
It Is equally true that the Iron Crown OF
mast century and the Flag Of the pres
emf for which lives and millions were spent
without stint, had value only as symbols
They stood for principles upon when me
happiness and progress Of all mankind were
believed to depend. In our day, at least, 'he
progress of all mankind toward freedom and
instice was involved in the right and power OF
free people to uphold strong government OF
law against Illegal resistance. Peace, when
such an issue is presented, cannot be goodwill
to all mankind.
The unchristlan and uncivilized temper thinks
of itself its pride its rights its interests, before
all else If not regardless Of all else. All are
aware how easily sincere and worthy patriotism
runs over into assertion OF the rights and ag-
crandizement of the interests of one nation
against all others. for the fiery ardor OF the
multitude is not often quick to respect limita-
tons or to weigh results. But the Christian and
civilized nation becomes the more powerful In
conflict because its Hottest and purest moral
forces. which alone insure endurance and thor
oughness and unlimited sacrifice. are first en-
listed in a cause before any rupture OF peace Is
possible First making sure that the cause is
right, that it involves in the truest sense good
will to all mankind and appeals to the highest
duty such nation is slow to start, but never
stops
The world has infinite reason to rejoice that
the teachings and the ever-spreading influence
of the Prince of Peace have gained greatly the
mastery over the pride and passion and self
interest which often brought about bloody wars
in earlier and darker days. No one can count
the instances in which the purer and higher
thoughts of duty to all mankind have prevented
wars into which selfish feeling would have
plunged modern nations. War will not cease,
until there is no longer evil or wrongdoing to
be swept out of the world. Preparation for war
will not cease until there is certainty that the
highest duty will not call for resort to force.
But growing sense Of that highest duty will
steadily restrain the nations, In proportion as
they rise to more of the Christmas spirit, from
mistaken conflicts which lower motives prompt
but to which the best sense Of duty does not call