The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-05-26
HE DELIVERED AT ST. LOUIS
PLEA WAS NEITHER FOR WAR NOR
ARBITRATION, BUT PATRIOT
ISM AND HONOR.
THE Loss OF THESE is AN EVIL
Greater Than Anything That May
Come From the Battlefield
Things Worse Than War.

settlement of international disputes. He re-
marked at the time that war, while deplor-
able in some Of its features. developed pats
riotism as nothing else could develop It, so
far as he could see.
The archbishop's words were telegraphed
broadcast over the world and have been pro-
yocative Of universal comment by the lead
ing newspapers and periodicals. Some ap-
plauded the archbishop for his utterances IN
opposition to what they termed the milk
and water, peace-at-a any price theorists"
while others have made the address an ex-
cuse for some ungentle criticism. Still
others have doubted the entire accuracy Of
the telegraphed reports.
To set at rest whatever doubts or mis-.
understandings there may be to Arch
bishop Ireland's position, the G o be sent
a reporter to interview him yesterday after
noon and obtain a statement in regard td
his st. Louis address. The interview waa
readily granted
my allusion to arbitration and war, In my
st. Louis address, seems to have been report
ed to the ends of the earth,' said the arch-
bishop with laugh. 1T has been made ia
include much more than / intended, or what
my words indicated. What l did say in ST
Louis was:
There is growing public opinion In favor
of arbitration. Ii is proposed that war be
made to cease forever. and that quarrels,
whether between populations of the samd
country or between nations at large, be
settled by the offices OF peaceful tribunals.
l am not discussing tonight the problem OF
arbitration. But while do hear mention OF
it, the question presses itself on my mind:
How will patriotism fare under the new order
of things? What will there be to take the
place of war in evoking, strengthening and
consecrating patriotism? How strong and
indestructible is the patriotism of the Grand
Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legioni
The mere sight of the country's flag warns
the souls of the veterans to fever heat OF
patriotic devotion which spreads from the
sanctuaries of their associations throughous
the land. They typify and teach love OF
country and ardor of sacrifice for the sake OF
country. Whence this perfervid and holy
patriotism? From memories of the war OF
thirty years ago, from memories of battles
fought and won at the price of life itself.
Sacrifice for country makes country doubly
dear and, so far ! now see, develops
patriotism nothing else can develop IT,"
1.-THE meaning of those words Is that war
| evokes and stimulates patriotism, and In case
| universal arbitration were to prevail, some
other spring of the noble virtue must be
sought for-one so rich and powerful as war
remaining, for the time being, unknown to me.
1T rests with the advocates OF arbitration
to show that patriotism will not suffer under
the regime of their ideas, or that If 1t does
suffer in some degree, there are adequate
compensations for what is lost.
81 did not undertake to deny that an ad-
nlirable case can be made for arbitration;
did not discuss arbitration; 1 merely raised
question; and, meanwhile, I do not dare say
that no answer may be forthcoming.
II not ignorant Of the terrible miseries
attendant upon war 1 have witnessed them
on the battlefield under the hospital tent, in
u
"'Force is, at best
fearful thing, cen in righteous cause
"The power of religion and reason should
be used to avert war. Arbitration is a beauti-
ful theory. 1t comes to us from our dreams
ings Of an improved humanity, and the domi-
nance Of the gospel of Christ
Universal peace is the ideal fruit of
Christ's preaching and the ideal condition Of
the human family. No wonder that men. good
and true, sigh for universal peace and for
the settlement OF all difficulties through arbf-
tration. The head Of the Catholic church.
Leo Kill. to whom owe reverence and love.
has invoked peace, &nd recommended arbltra-
tion. and follow him loyalty.
But while we aspire to the ideal. we shouId
not allow ourselves to overlook the fact that
humanity Is finite, limited entity, not al
ways prepared for the full realization of the
loeai, and that, in consequence, horrible as
war Is, there are evils immeasurably worsa
than those of war
Count Tolstoi is said. denounced patriot
ism short time ago. his e~gument being thai
patriotism promotes war. Well, IL war NAV
come of patriotism. let war come, for patriot
ism we must have, at any cost
A people without patriotism is not worthy
Oh peace; and the blessings Of peace VIII NOT
rest upon it. Patriotism is the san Of life
In nation, giving growth and luxuriance to
Its social institutions, and prosperity and hap
piness to its citizens.
Yes, there are things worse than war.
There is national dishonor tho loss of ma
tiopal self-respect, the wreckage of the ma
tional inheritance of dignity and lIberty-and
II war is the only preventive of these things.
let war come with all its miseries and hor-
rors.
God forbid that we go back to barbarous
or semi-barbarous periods Of history when
tribes and nations made war as for pastlme.
when bauble was the prize for which men
fought; when the whims and personal ambf-
tions Of kings and queens summoned armies
into battle array. The interests at stake must
be equal In value to the sacrifices which war
exacts
There is abundant room for arbitration, In
making war impossible for all minor causes:
and. indeed, for all causes, so long as Diff
feIences can otherwise be settled and the
absence Of war does not produce evils greater
than those of war. Should the methods and
authority of arbitration so advance as to pre-
vent all wars. the priceless dowries OF
people still left intact. the ideal will have
been realized, and perfected. Humanity will
re-echo the angelic hymn-'Glory to God in
the highest. and peace on earth to men Of good
WILL
That already we have arrived at this high
stage of human progress and elevation that
as we see and know things today, all pos
sfble questions in dispute between people
may be brought before the tribunal OF arbi-
tration in full observance of the laws Of
justice and practical wisdom, IS a problem
for which I an not prepared to offer a pre-
else and final solution.
"Of this much have nc doubt whatever
that, as the world is now conditioned, the
surest plan for the United States to maintain
peace. whether by arbitration or otherwise,
is to keep itself prepared for war de-
mand for arbitration made by the chief
ruler Of the nation will be hardened to. II
he can point to his well-equipped army and
navy and to people stirred with patriotism
to the deepest fibers Of their souls.
'.It is going too far to blame associations
and maneuverings which foster a martial
Point and Annapolis. and to begrudge the
giving Of money from the national treasury
to maintain our army and navy In proper
condition.
IT am asked. how. as a minister OF Christ,
I can bring myself to speak patiently OF war.
The New Testament, II 10 true. Is q book Of