The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-28

The xaaurul NetheA to settle Great
Controversies.
Seattle. April =. 1855.
To the Editor. 1t Is . general saying
that wars are very bad SO they are,
terribly destructive ox life and property.
creating widows and orphans. and plant
ing weeds OF saddest mourning through
ont the lands engaged in them. They do
all this. Would that all grave questions
might be settled among nations without
w2r. and the progress Of civilization ana
higher national life be attained without
hloodshed. and thereby its consequent
evils be avoided This does not appear 10
he the economy OF the god Of nations
Progress in the bettsrment Of the life of
nations naturally comes through great
sacrifices and distresses 10 the people 1t
is not the fault of the god o. nations. but
that of the people. II is not that dove
like spirit which says. Peace. not war.
building up, not a destruction: but an
innate desire of selfishness and destruc-
tiveness. / say an innate desire. II may
be an acquired desire brought about by
the long reign OF ignoble rulers. famed
into life and sustained by their Influence
and example. The nations OF the earth
are fast being divided on these principles:
the one division trying to lift the world
up in the scale of human sympathy
and justice to all men: the other is atis-
fed with the status quo. or, IL anything.
retrogradfng by the temporal influence OF
selfish. designing men IN high authority.
There is an irrepressibfe conflict among
nations between right and wrong. between
humanity and inhumanity. between the
uplifting of the nations Of the earth and
downward tendency.
Contrast the difference between a coun-
try whose every effort Is 10 enlighten and
TO civilixe the people with whom they may
come IN contact. and people whose
greatest delight from childhood to old age
Is in the bulifght and kindred pastimes,
and who manifest their exquisite delight
IN witnessing an Infatuated animal gore to
the death one OF their citizens. Is it any
wonder that people brought up in that
kind OF a savage, bloodthirsty life would
look with calm compiacency upon the
starvation of 100000 people under their own
nag. and fully entitled to their sympathy.
support and protection? Several nations
come under this painful illustrations:
others do not. Whatever may BIZ said
about the English people as being natien
OF grabbera OF territory. and too extreme
IN extending their flag over territories ac-
Quired from time to time. wherever the
English flag waves there goes with it
higher sentiment OF mans duty to man,
and lifts the people up to a higher plane.
The United States Is not behind IN this
humane and progressive policy; wherever
the Stars and Stripes are flung to the
breeze, 1t brings with il the idea of higher
national life, justice TO mankind and free
dom to all. 1t is respected by all coun-
tries on the globe, and looked upon as an
emblem of freedom and sympathy for the
down-trodGen. The present war with
Spain will destroy much life and prop
erty, hut amidst all will bring its bless
ings.
No one now regrets the Revolution. By
1t was born great nation cf magnificent
people, who always have and always will
contend for the right at home or abroad.
No one would have the same cond. tons
brought to us as they existed before the
terrible internecine war, though brother
fought against brother and father against
son, flesh Of one flesh and blood OF one
blood. The excellent results were accom-
plished. These results could have been
attained in no other way than through
the horrors of war. 1t Is the natural
mental and moral condition of men. The
present war. though IL may be prolonged
beyond the average of expectation which
1 think 1t will, will RESULT IN good. 1t
VIII perform the grand act of solidifying
the North and the South" and wipe out
from the recollection forever the bitter
ness. the scars and mars of our recens
war. There will be no North, nor no
South. but one grand nations of patriots
1t will do more. 1t will solIdisy the sym
pathies Of both England and America, ana
bring the two countries TO a better UNDER
standing. Their differences will be ad-
justed on the higher plane OF arbitration,
and the two countries will march hand
In hand to the elevation and betterment
of the world. A. B. b.