The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
CARL SEIZURE ON WAR.
From His Speech at the Washington
Arbitration Conferences.
New York Evening Post.

New York Evening Post
/ know, however, from personal expert
ence, of some otherwise honorable and sem
sible men who wish for a war on sentimental
aye, on high moral ground. One or them,
whom l much esteem, confessed to me that
he longed for war. IL not with England,
then with Spain or some other power, as he
said, Ito lift the American people out of
their materialism and to awaken once more
that heroic spirit which moved young Cush-
ing TO risk his life in blowing up the Con-
federate steamer Albemarle." This, when /
heard it, fairly took my breath away. And
yet we must admit, such fanciful confusion
of ideas is not without charm to some of our
high-spirited young men. But what mock
ing delusion it is! To lift people out of
excited the spirit OF reckless and unscrupu-
lous speculation, not only while Ii was going
on. but also Afterwards by the economle
Has ii not always stimulated the rapid and
often dishonest accumulation OF riches on
one side. while spreading and intensifying
want and misery on the other? Has 1t not
thus always had tendency to plunge peo-
pie still deeper into materialism? Has not
every great war left a dark streak of de-
moralization behind? Has ii not thus always
proved dangerous TO the purity of repubii-
can governments? Is not this our own ex-
perience? And as TO awakening the heroic
pulses in some, excite the base passions in
others? And do not the young Cushings
the life OF peace, too? Would ii be wise in
the economy OF the universe to bring on
war. with its bloodshed and devastation, it's
distress and mourning, merely for the pur-
pose of accommodating our young braves
with chances for blowing up ships? The old
Roman poet tells us that it is sweet and
glorious TO die for ones country. 1t is noble
indeed But TO die on the battlefield is not
the highest achievement Of heroism. To live
for a good cause honestly, earnestly, unset
fishly, laboriousy, is at least as noble and
heroic as TO die for II, and usually far more
difficult.
/ have seen war; I have seen ii with its
glores and Its horrors: with its noble emo
tons and its possibilities; with its exalta-
tons and triumDhs, and its unspeakable
miseries and baneful corruptions: and / say
to you, feel my blood tingle with indigna-
as IL 1t were only hoAday pastime or an
athletic sport. We are often told that there
are things worse than war. Yes, but not
many He deserves the curse OF mankind
who. in the exercise of power forgets that
war should be only the very last resort even
after all the resources OF peaceful methods
are thoroughly exhausted. AS an Americ an.
proud of his country and anxious that the
Republic should prove itself equal TO the
most glorious or Its opportunities. / Cannot
but denounce as wretched faulty that So
that we are the envy of the whole world
for the priceless privilege of being exempt
from the oppressive burden of warlike
preparations: which. when Ii sees other ma
lions grooming under that load, tauntingly
asks, why do you not disarm?" and then
insists that the American people, too, shall
put the incubus OF heavy armament on their
backs; and which would drag this Republic
down from its high degree OF the cham
pionship of peace among nations and de-
grade ii TO the vulgar level of the bully
ready and eager for fight.