Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-09-21

I
the American people. This great reser
voir of force for all purposes-the Amer
lean RePublic-this mightiest engine OF
war and most beneficent power for peace
on the face of the globe, can extend the
right hand of fellowship to warring
brethren across the Atlantic and promul-
gate with honor and dignity n scheme foI
an international tribunal and lead in the
movement.
The old adage, The pen is mighheI
than the sword, is a true one. thank
God that all civilized nations are begin,
ming to see the folly of pIunging into the
horrors of war when by few strokes OF
the pen they can settle disputes more sat
isfactorily and more honorably than by re.
sorting to the sword. England and the
United States, the foremost countries in
civilization, in art and in literature, are
uniting in sentiment TO draft terms
whereby all differences are to be settled
thus avoiding bIoodshed and violence
In this happy event peace and prosperity
snail reign where murder and raPine
without it would hold sway. The time
will soon come and l believe is not far
distant, when all people will see the fol
lies of resorting to war. instead OF the
peaceful means of arbitration.
There is no peace that is not honorable
there can be no war of determination that
is not dishonoroble. The true honor of a
nation is to be found only in deeds of JUS
tee and in the happiness OF its people,
all of which are inconsistent with war
In the clear eye of christian Judgment
vain are its victories, infamous are its
spoils. The mission of free government
is to bring comfort where before was
wretchedness; to do justice; to enlighten
the ignorant; TO inspire in the hearts Of
the people love for God and humanity.
All these war opposes; instead Of an en-
lightened and peace loving people, we
are turned into savage beasts, as 1t were,
our whole purpose to murder our fellow
men. God forbid that this country ever
again witness the horrors of war. With
out it we need no army and it would only
be an imposition upon our people that in
time of peace as profound as we enjoy to-
day. to make them support larger stand
ing army. The people are pressed enough
without this further burden Of supporting
an idle army of men, vino could be Of
service to their country in other vocauons
more useful than this. Army life is not
elevating, but rather degrading; it tends
to debase man, and shows but too plainly
the brute side of his nature. There is
always mischief for idle hands TO do. so
it would be in the army. With abso-
lutely nothing to occupy their time, men
would drift into debauchery and crime.
What need have we for standing armies2
With our splendid system of State mill
tia our states are able to quell all riots
and mobs within their boundaries. For
over one hundred years our country has
stood without a large one. She has en-
gagged England, Mexico and the southern
states in war, and has been able to with
stand all attacks. Her very foundations
have been shaken, and yet she comes
out r1nscathed and triumphant at last
The United States stands to-day the great
est nation in the world. There are none
to make her afraid, and yet through it
all she has had no large standing army.
From thirteen feeble colonies which over
a hundred years ago fought the revolu-
ton, we now have forty-five powerful
States able to defend and protect them
selves against any uprising which may
occur within them.
It always has been principle of free
government to avoid a large standing
army, and when we must depend upon
military power for our government to
live, may she die; and with the renlem-
brauce of her past glory we will bury
with reverent hands and fearful eye that
liberty our fathers died to give us.
Perhaps some one will say the army IS
needed for our defence; as well might
you say that the shadow IS needed for the
defence of the body. for what IS the army
of the United States but the feeble shadow
of the American people; upon them must
rest the responsibility Of PeTpetuating
those principles handed down by our
forefathers. How well they will do this
was clearly shown only short time ago.
when, over the Venezuela trouble, Presi-
dent Cleveland had ten millions Of men
at his disposal. The greatest army that
would have been marshalled upon any
field of battle and one which would have
been invincible almost against the world
Ten millions of men. armed with thc
love of country, could not have been con
quered.
There is one plea why European coun
tries should have large armies, and tina
because the monarchs who govern tllesl
countries must support their power b.
means Of their soldiers. Upon these res
the crowns they wear. With US it is diff
ferent. We have no kings nor monarchs
oppressors of the people to protect; bu
the sovereignty of our country vests II
her citizens and to them alone must she
Hook for protection in time of need
Now let Us look at the expense Of keep
ing a standing army In 1895 the gov
ernment expended s5I,ooo,ooo TO main
tain our little army Of twenty-sever
tbonsand men. Think of it, ffty-ont
,,i1l;oBs OF dollars from the pockets o.
the people who are now undergoing :
financial depression unknown in the his
= - ,-,,-td ..-,d vet the. gentleman