The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-06-10

itself must be converted again and again
before the peace of God can reign un-
broken. We need new baptism of the
Spirit OF divine truth and love. We need
a renewing of apostolic zeal for the con-
quest Of the world for Christ. We need
q revival of true Christian patriotism
which is willing to sacrifice ease, pleas
ure and earthly treasure for the highest
service of men.
This war will make US realize our rela
tions and obligations to the rest of the
world. We cannot absolve ourselves
from our duties to foreign nations. We
cannot isolate ourselves and be content
to absorb our wealth and power for good
in mere selfish pleasure and material
prosperity. Great privileges and superb
or advantages carry with them great
responsibilities in behalf of the rest of
mankind.
This crisis will, perhaps, teach us more
fully some of the great dangers which
threaten our own peace and prosperity
at home. among our own swsrming mil
| lions OF ignorant, vicious and discomfort
ed populace. We need to learn moral
| self-control, the value of political integ-
riry, and the Importance Of reserve pow
er for protection.
The events Of the past few months
| should teach us the vital significance of
good citizenship. We are discovering the
real strength and weakness Of our insti-
buttons and system of government. We
| should learn what the value Of the ballot
| is. We see the true value of real states
manship and have found out to some ex-
tent what kind of men we should elect to
represent us. The
TRUE SPIRIT OF OUR Boosted CIvILIzA-
| TION
has been revealed to as and we can guess
at the possibilities which are involved in
the social and political conditions of this
great republic.
II in time of peace it is wise to prepare
for war, so in time of war we should be
preparing for peace. Grave duties de-
volve upon US at this time in view of the
well known and inevitable effects Of war
At best war is destructive and democrat
izing. 1t is unnatural, and in genera
tends to degrade the common life Of the
people. 1t is wasteful and as a rule
heaps still greater burdens upon the poor
helpless, suffering and dependent WHIT
, are least able to bear them. 1t disturbs
and confuses all the relations and inter
ests of life. 1t turns the attention, inter
} est, force and effort of the people away
, from the normal course Of progress, anG
: tends to pervert and debase the very
: foundations of the social structure.
War naturally appeals to the passions
and selfish propensities OF men more thar
TO their moral and spiritual sentiments
Hence it tends to pervert public tast'
and to lower the moral standard. Tht
first object of battle is to vanquish thu
enemy. How eager the crowd is for ev
i, cry item of the conflict! And the con
seienceless newspaper in its shameless
, greed for gain panders TO the sensation
of the excited, ignorant and already
vicious multitude. It cannot do us gooC
: to become familiar with scenes Of cor fiict
} blood and destruction. Even when W,
; can feel that it is right TO hurt and kill
; to punish wrong and to vindicate tn.
right, it can scarcely be the culture WI
, most aeed.
j In the words Of another: "DomestiG
: life suffers. The means OF living arr
wasted. Men live less quietly with theii
families. They drink more. The saloons
reap harvest. Heavier burdens are laiG
on the hands and hearts of women. The
boys break away from restraint. Thu
girls are exposed to coarser compan
ionship."
And 80 we might 20 on to show how
education, religion, citizenship, all thu
virtues and graces OF life suffer in tim,
Of war. Every good cause may be hin
dered by reason Of the waste and woe O.
carnal strife.
i There are men who shout for war be
cause they are wicked. They have moth
: ing to lose, they may gain something b,
il. There are others who cry for peac
/, at any price because Of their sordid In
difference, love OF ease and fear or suffer
! ing. There are
!. MEN WHO FOR GREED OF GAIN
q would perhaps be willing to involve on
country in deadly and disgracefuI con
] flict.
Z But, on the other hand the wiser an,
better part Of Our people have hoped an