Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-07-03
ST. PAUL. MINI.
Thoughts and Reflections on Decora-
ton Day.

Thoughts and Reflections on Decora-
ton Day.
We all know that it has become custom
to eulogize the men who fell ON the battle
field during our civil war. They are looked
upon as saviors of this republic, as true pa
triots. 1t may be a patriotic deed to fight
for one's country when an invading enemy
seeks to enslaye its people, but it is far bet
ter to lead peaceful and useful life, than
to Ego on the war path killing human
beings without the least justification, and
merely to satisfy the caprices of ruler or a
plutocracy. Public war has no more justi-
| fication than private murder. 1t is carried
on by savage people, but should not be toll
Grated by us, who pride ourselves on being
Christians, and civilized. As long as we
do heathenish deeds, we deserve to be
classed with heathens.
Overbearing monopolists have swayed the
ignorant masses, kindling the war spirit in
order to 'kill off, the dissatisfied working
people whom they have robbed of their
livelihood in order to satisfy their own in
ordinate greed.
By what right can war be declared? Can
Congress assume the responsibility, when
God, in the fifth commandment, says,
''Thou shalt not kill?" What does it prove
but disregard for divine law, and con-
firmation of the old saying, that might
makes Right 1t seems strange that leg
islators dare to legalize wholesale slaughter
when they condemn that person to prison
or the gallows who, in hasty mood and
in revenge, takes another life.
He kills his enemy, while the soldier kills
men whom he never saw-men who never
harmed him, never caused him any loss of
property or enjoyment.
Christian people should try to initiate
the peace loving Jesus, or else quit calling
themselves Christians.
But how can the people be truly Christ
ianized when their spiritual teachers, the
priest, minister on clergyman encourage
war by organizing the 'boys' brigades,"
by public speeches and by their presence
on the battle field as chaplains? OF late
they have used their influence in behalf Of
war more than ever before, since the war
ended, and why? In order to please their
God, Mammon, instead Of Christ. They
sway the ignorant people, who do their
bidding, and plutocracy, who never can b
civilized, says to the ministers: ''Preach
war;" and they do so.
Why is war desired? Because it quiets
the oppressed and gives our Capitalists a
chance to invest their booty at high rates
of interest. This is styled patriotism, ~
patriotism consisting of the wholesale de-
struction of innocent and useful working
man, who would have done better to sup
port those depending on them than to rot in
an untimely grave.
Who gains, if not the Capitalists, who
risk neither life nor property? They, as
always is the case, gather in the result Of
others toll. If the working men, in a
patriotic mood, risk their lives in the war |
as soldiers, why should not the Capitalists
be patriotic enough to expend their treas
ures previously robbed from the people? |
The fallen soldier gets a 'eulogy'' and a
wreath of flowers over his grave on Dec
Grafton Day. while the fellows who
started the war, live to enjoy their plumber
to their hearts fullest desire. What
mockery?
Had not the one as good right to live
and enjoy the result of honest toll as the
other? Who dares to say that God finds
pleasure in bloodshed? Shame on such
teachingsl Woe unto such Servants of
the Lordr' They are disgrace to civili-
cation because they teach barbarism. The
ruins of ancient cities mark the paths of
war, as well as the downfall of previous
civilizations. When will reason and JUS
tice take the place of the corrupted clergyi
CHAs. &. DAVIDSON.
St. Paul, MINI, Decoration Day, 1895.
The bcodlD labor ''leader,' w. G.