The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-05-26
Here and There. No. 10.

War makes of divers nations but one
world, and for the nonoe tits a small
world, beating, throbbing heart think
ing intently of one subject, All. but
even as these nations and tribes speak
each its-own language. 80 each country
has it's own manner of considering the
topic presented Very much as we
speak of the Individual as related 10 the
nation, do we now think of each nation
as part of the world for So it seems
in war time. Occasionally it is not pos
sible to do SO for a portion of country
may utterly refuse to be considered
merely as a fraction of the whole and
this occurring proclaims distinction.
Whether righteous or unrighteous, II
the spirit is strong enough to make a
stand and there is growth, with time the
once small fraction may become the
dominant power. Only the light of
history reveals the fact of other rule in
earlier days
A nation in its normal state, when but
one strong impulse ani,nates its subjects
in a time of peace, is most interesting
study. Its relations with its sister ma
tions, its various arrangements OF mani
fold complications whether of major or
minor Importance, reveal much o. its
inner life to the attentive locker on.
" ell it is that like individuals, nations
are bound by wholesome laws OF cour-
tesy. In these natural, polite observ-
ances of civilization, there is, or must
some time have been, sentiment Of
real interest in the welfare of those
dwelling in far country, or just across
the line. AS in society, this leads to
intimacy or, perchance, II undesirable
only to pleasant, oeremonious acquaint-
ance, but is educatve, enlarging the hori-
zon of its otherwise provincial tendency;
ii seems the plan for the world.
But not so quietly can we study one
nation at peace within her own borders
or admiringly contemplate her ac-
knowledged superiority over other
countries, for like mankind no nation
liveth unto itself alone. The nation
that is forgetful of the world is, in the
nature of the case, itself forgotten, or
worse still, remembered UNANIMOUSLY.
"a fleet of war has only the speed of its
slowest ship" it has been said. In the
world, where one of the nations Is lead
ing the older nations in peace, and In
war conquerIng gloriously, does she not
at this moment feel the slow dragging
pace of worn out behind. the times, cruel
Spain? But the fleet is not out on the
stormy deep for selfish gain, or gaily
sailing through blue waters intent on a
pleasure cruise, and however severe and
perilous the war will prove. our country
is not forgetful of the rights of others.
Not alone does war teach its grave,
solemn lessons as to preparation and de-
Tense to our people who, thank God,
direct our leaders But ALL nations are
reading the hard, bitter story of what
it means to have place in the nations
of the world. In compassion for other
people, the road we take to help them
out of their bondage seems beset on
either side with difficulties which now
and again seem to be lnsurmountable.
Perhaps in the lurid flame of war one
may read truth which in the time of
peace had been unseen. The world is
large, it's opportunities are also great,
and it must appeal straight and strong
to nation. In peace or war all
countries are so bound together that the
glory or shame of either has a real tan
gible relation to all the others. There
is certain charm and intellectual en-
joyment in the thought of our real
knowledge of the very simple happen
ings as we'll as the great affairs of far
off nations. Indeed the lessons multi
ply when we see that there are no great
or small occurrences which we can def
nitely call so. How the geography of
unknown points is now studied, also
characteristics of the inhabitants of va
rious isles of the sea. How carefully
noted and discussed are the supposed
relations heretofore existing between
certain nations, and how pleasant are
the things, tritling in themselves and
only now regarded because our brave
fleet sail the wide seas over.
When peace comes with grace and
beauty, may we gladly forget what is
best not remembered. But we will ever
cherish the love and gratitude called
forth by England's acts and approving
words. Pleasant to us who are quiet
home dwellers, they must be precious
indeed to those who SO admirably guide
our ship of state through troubled seas.
EMMA M. SMITH.