Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-26

In spite OF War.

Ana SO war has began, they say. We'll.
spring IS here before &C. having broken
through the blockade begun by the white
squadron of winter. Therefore. b. We
are 10 have war, it is some compensation
10 know that We already have spring fl
Is true that We would have spring In
any event, war or no war. and yet. when
lumor runs clamorins with its tales Of
death and disaster. We may turn with
more assurance NJ comfort TO the serene
tranquility and peace which nature pro-
vides. 1t is at such times that the or
derby scheme OF the seasons the ever
changing and vast procession moving
forward as noiseless ass "a chid's dream,
becomes impressive.
The explosions Of wax may strike
harshly on the ear. but the winds watt
the report out of hearing and lift the
smoke into the elements. and. TO- there
Is nature as serene as smiling. and as
tranquil as If the little regiments and
other toys OF war had not met In col
lisiOu. old soldiers will tell you that
at the battle of Resaca the singing of "a
mockingbird could be heard I'm the midst
OF the din and clamor ana confusion;
and one man who Was desperately
wounded declares that the singing
pierced him through and through with
the most delightful memories of home.
He could see his wife sewing at the win
dow of the old farmhouse; he could
hear his children at play under the ap-
pie trees. 40 detail was wanting.
Therefore. when men talk Of war. il is
well To sandwich i'm between the rumors
some quiet suggestions of that profound
peace which exists i'm spite OF all the
efforts Of man 10 disturb IL. Has vessel
been sunk? Well "a thousand acOrns
sproutcd last night to build another. DO
horrors accumulate Well, they are all
the work of man. or, II We are able 70
trace such results 90 higher power IL
is with the assurance that compensating
results will follow. Man dies that he
may truly live And every sacrifice that
is made for freedom may count largely
i'm Heavens plans.
70 jump away from these reflections,
Il is curious To observe that the only dis
turbing element in natures scheme of
peace is that fair mistress Of looms and
lovers-the moon: and she disturbs only
the scientists and philosophers who re-
fuse 90 give ear 20 the words of the wise.
10 was but yesterday that the first fun
moon i'm April rose upon the scene, and
prompt 90 the hour the mercury began
10 fan Fortunate the man who. hcark-
ening 10 the wisdom ~ his elders and 90
the traditions that have come down 10 MS
through long generations-forun the
man We say. who covered his straw
berry patch in time. Fortunate. because
ne can go into his garden to-day. as he
could last week, and End ripe berries
there. and because the fruit that is not
yet ripened will reach maturity I'm per
feet form and favor
our advice 10 all who love peace is 20
live next door To nature and keep one
b NJ
PLY situated. the large things Of life ass
sumo their just proportions. There are
no maWifyins mists and vapors To dis
tort and disturb. Your ncishbor cannot
dissemblc when you measure him hN ms
relations 10 the events of the season.
He cannot escape your inquisiton. nor
elude the invisible police tndt hale him
into natures court. SO, nor can me-
az tho evidence which be- gives
himself. nor the Judgment which HIM
self renders.
on the other hand. let ms not be- too
busy with our neighbOrs unless 10 SYM
pathize with their shortcomings ana
ind excuses for their whims expecting
no large returns I'm gratitude. for SYM
pathv and charity are their own reward,
,v.u a- virtue is. Those whose minds
are set To the right tunes have mo- need
TO fret and fumc over the small policies
of existence or 90 feel themselNc- nam
pcred bv that which is h0pelesSly ana
Internationally commonplace. IT your
u.iehbor'- horse nips your rose Sho't''
huiid YOUR fence higher. Ar bottom. o.
IL a piece of sclf-dcmdl. and You Will
feel better for g., You Will retain your /
RESPECT for both your ueiShh'i ana your
self. and stHl feel able 90 agree with a.
version Of an ancient re-
mark-viz.. she horse dmitedJ Is ct noble /
animal ,..-,,-,
m, news brought by The mockingblrd' /
ir.fstod ON bv the catb.rd. echoed by the /
hedge sparrow. ana confirmed by the roses +
themselves tWnIch ar. uow ne"lld'rlnS I
+, tb.i~ rresh beauty in spite OF }oster- /
dt,.. RAIN. is that war n lts essence lS /
merely special cXagserauon NJ the /
struggle that is pcrpeludlly going on be- |
tween individuals. between communities /
between states and nations. We may /
can a. bv what names $50 please, whether /
business commerce. competition. m9unp- /
DIV. trade. or what not. b. is 30 struggle /
for supremacy. ana the man who so .
situated that he can uft the Noil and /
view the contest. musr necessarily cpn- /
,ludc that morally 20 b. as destructive /
and as disastrous as war
FOR awhile Christianity took the edge !
ln This vicious and demoralzing strug-
sIe. but mans nature has risen victorious |
over the word ana The spirit o. this |
,Ntent. at least. that be- continues 10
hoard and accumulate money by every
means i'm his power. and stun calls him.
self a Christian.
Wen. wells LIT us not probe too deeply. /
est the roses Doe forgotten ard the song
1f the mOcSingbird cease 10 be a joy.