New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-02
THE WAR AS AN EDUCATOR.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD SHOWS WHAT
ERRORS IT HAS SWEPT AWAY.

ERRORS IT HAS SWEPT AWAY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The 1921 return OF our National birthday
finds us again at war. Seven years OF war, at
the beginning Of our National life. gave us ana
the world at large valuable instruction as to our
true position among the Powers OF earth That
instruction is likely to he continued by the war
going on to-day
War IL a stern. harsh, cruel teacher; Out tho
lessons which he imposes on the nations VINO
are his pupils lasting ones. They are re-
mem bered at least through one generation
Peace Is the att able and gentle promoter Of
all our enterprises. She often ieads US INTO
paths to wealt;, an wisdom. But sometimes
she leads us tn things not so desirable she
fosters in some minds visionary schemes or
socialism. Utoplan dreams Of government. fanci-
ful theories Of finance She nurtures In others
morbid prejudices. born Of past contests or OF
that intense conservatism that breads lurking
danger in every forward step.
War with his hot breath. sweeps away these
dcments OF IMAGINATION as hurricane sweeps
away cobwebs He mercessly compeis us 10
deal with actual facts and real needs ne re-
oures us to exert all our energies, ana pltlIessx
reveals 10 us all our limitations
We have learned during two months or war
lessons to which We have been dear ana phnd
during thirty years of peace
For thirty years naval authorities have been
warning us that the conditions OF marine WAR
fare have been changed by modern inventions--
that armor cad ships and outlying coaling STA
lions are things indispensable. The pubic re-
ceiyed the warning with sleepy indifference, ana
In Congress every proposal for ship or port
was denounced a needless expense. WICKED
lob and a public danger. Now we nave "aked
up II Is not now a question whether We snail
have armor-clad ships. but where ana no" we
can most quickly buy or build them IL is not
now a question whether we shall have a coalins
station, but how many we want ana where we
shall put them in the Atlantic. the Caribbean
and the Pacific.
For thirty years we Rugged ourselves with the
delusive belief that we sought 10 harm no
one nobody would harm us. and therefore we
should never have war go we kept our Army
on the peace footing devised half a century ago.
when the Nation was only half It's present size.
Now Congress and people are making haste 70
find the trained officers and big battalions'
needed whenever a great nation goes forth to
war
,rt thirty years We have been told that war.
even in self-defence would mean financial dis
aster. loss Of National credit decay OF indus
tries stoppage OF mills factories railways and
steamers But here we are In war. ana the
National credit never was higher. The mills.
factories. railways. steamboats, banks ana
bankers are still at work. and apparently max
ing at least as much money as they have In the
last four years which were not found TO DO
piping times OF peace.
For thirty years interested partsans and I'M
wise teachers have sought TO fan the feebly
smoulderng embers Of our Civil War and TO
and
Most reprehensble OF all. some parents and
teachers in each section have tried To inculcate
upon children a belief that the people OF the
other section were never TO be trusted. Wei.
here comes the new generation OF young North
erners and young Southerners marching 10 the
front together fighting shoulder 10 shoulder In
the ranks. emulous only az 10 who shall do BEST
battle for their common country and their Union
flag.
For thirty years learned literat and super.
cilious critics have demonstrated that Great
Britain and the United States are rivals in
trade. opponents in theories of government. and
therefore natural enemies. Now II is suddenly
discovered that there is better understanding
and better feeling between the two than ever
before in their history. 1t is remembered that
the flag OF each. In whatever remote region
planted. means for the people OF that region
larger liberty and better government. In tho
work OF the worlds civilization and ennghten-
ment II may not he wise that they should act
partners. but It certainly Is wise that they
should act az friends.
A great nation is like a great oak tree. II Is
always either in It's period of growth or in its
period OF decay. The growth may last during
centuries. The decline may be long pro-
tracted. II is foolish TO attempt TO force tho
growth. II is futile to attempt to stop either
the growth or the decline But one thing Is in
evtable-when the growth stops the decay be-
gins. This Nation OF ours is still in it's youth.
All indications point to a long-continued period
of expansion and growth on the same lines and
in the same way that II has been growing and
expanding FOR n hundred and twenty years.
Whose does not see Il Is blind 70 the teachings
both Of peace and war.
FREDERICK w SEWARD
Mon,rose- on the Hudson. ~ Y, July l, 1898