The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-19
EDITORIAL VARIATIONS.
BY JOHN McNHUGHT.


properly be included among variations OF
the central theme is one which tends to
show the foolishness of the doctrine that
the way TO have peace is TO prepare for
war. Old DR.. Johnson told the world
long ago that proverbial wisdom is as
current as copper coin and just about as
valuable. We are having a new proof OF
the truth OF his saying We are very for
midabe to the Filipinos, but they are
attacking US with the fury OF bantam
cocks; and Great Britain is a portentous
adversary for the Beers. but none the
less the Beers are making war as vigor-
orously as II the British were wholly un-
prepared 40 guard against II.
II will be remembered that IN our con-
troversies with Great Britain there is
never any danger OF war, but on the con-
trary a confidence on both sides that
the peace between the two Will not be
broken. Some may think the confidence
due 10 fraternal sentiments, the common
language of Shakespeare and Milton, and
Anglo-SaXon unity; but the world at
large knows the continuance of peace is
due mainly to the fact that -ither side
is prepared for war against the other.
Had the British been as unpI epared for
war with Dom Paul as they are for war
with Uncle Sam they would have no
fight with the Beers; and had we been as
unprepared for war with Spain as we are
for war with Great Britain we would
not have interfered in Cuba any more
than we are going TO interfere In the
Transvaal.
Those who study human affairs az re-
vealed in the course OF the lives OF In
dividuals soon note that men who pre-
pare for trouble always find trouble and
those who are not prepared for II keep
81 u Of ft h. -I,o
velops in his muscles the ability to knock
out his feliow-man or who arms himself
with pistol or club TO protect himself
is very sure 10 have a fight, while the
man who is not conscious OF any power
TO whip the casual passer on the street
goes on his way, minding his own bust
ness. avoids quarrels and neither
achieves fighting nor has fighting forced
on him.
II appears TO be with nations very
much as with individuals. Where there is
a readiness for war there is very sure to
be war. The way for n nation to nave
peace is 20 put itself in a condition wlere
It will have reason to seek peace with
diligence and keep II when found. The
proverbial saying that the way to pre-
serve peace is to prepare for war should
be referred TO the debating societies for
reconsideration.
Lest any one conclude from the fore
going that the wars now being waged on
behalf OF the white mans burden are
wrong or improper or anything like
breaches OF etiquette, IL may be worth
while to say there is one bit OF wisdom.
made by Pope as current as a proverb.
which Is quite true and can be relied
upon. Whatever is. is right" The wars
are, and therefore they are right
In this connection IL is worth noting
that the Archbishop OF Armagh has been
moved by the spirit OF the time 10 con-
tribute something TO the war verse OF
Great Britain and recently sent to the
London Times what is perhaps the best
poem that has been written since the
fighting began. II is too long to be quoted
entire. but the opening stanZas run thus:
They say that war is hell" the great ac-
cursed
The sin impossible 20 be forgiven
Yet I can look beyond IL Mt its worst
And still find blue in heaven.
And as I note how nobly natures form
Under the wars red rain I deem II true
That He who made the earthquake and the
storm
Perchance makes battles tool
The life He loves is not the life OF span
Abbreviated by each passing breath,
II is the true humanity or Man,
Victorious over death.
The long expectance OF the upward gaze
Sense ineradicable OF things afar.
Fair hope of finding after many days
The bright and morning Star.
Methinks I see how spirits NAV be tried,
TRANSPORTED into beauty on wars verge
Like flowers. whose tremulous grace is learnt
beside
ifuO ~ fha
While in Great Britain there are poets
enough from Archbishops TO Kiplings to
sing something of glory into the war with
the Beers. there is a duh, apathetlc list
lessness among the poets of America not
only upon war subjects but upon all sub
jects. We are Dragging much in these
days over the exuberant vitality Of Amer
lean life, which is supposed to manifest
itself in things intellectual and moral as
well as in things material, and vet we
have brought forth no poem of note for
many a day save the Man With the
Hoe"
1t cannot be said we are Indifferent 70
poetry. for the fervor displayed I'm dis
cussing Markhams poem shows that we
are yearning for just that kind of tonic
of conversation as a change from politics
and the ladies. Recent events have fur
nished inspiring themes for poets.