Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-01-05

sent TO view.
ID seems singular at first view that ma
tions cannot prescribe AS effectual rules
to govern themselves as they compel for
the individual. But on reflection it is
seen that there is no power to enforce
national obedience. Aud by the inevi-
table law of force an invisible power
cannot overcome material and physical
power in worldly matters. Besides, the
quick application of the strongest mo-
tive power has much to do with it. The
conservative judgment aud power of
people is comparatively inert and before
aroused to action some belligerent en-
thusiasts have put the nation in a posi-
ton from which it cannot retire from
scenes of blood, slaughter and desola-
ton without dishonor to itself. Besides,
the very nature of man is such that it is
constantly supplying in the minds and
bodies of men en- masse elements of bel
ligerence and desires for active, adventur-
Gus exercise. And when those suppressed
acc,imulations become plethoric their
bursting forth is as inevitable as the
eruption of a volcano. And often war
is only an excuse to get rid of sup
pressed accumulation. War may be a
necessity, diversion, an experiment, or
an enterprise for gain or glory. 1t is
sometimes waged to build up class but
seldom to build up the whole country.
hut if two individuals cannot be permit
ted to settle their differences by slight
alteration which affects no one but them
selves, and nations allowed to settle
theirs by wholesale slaughter, involving
whole countries and the torture, i'm
prisonment or death of the greater por-
ton of its hest subjects, let such con-
tests be treated with non-intervention by
those not directly involved.
Peace conventions may be in perpetual
session but the peaceful solution of ma
tional differences can only be accom-
plished by force and when that force is
applied to compel peaceful arbitration
that itself is war. Peaceful arbitration
at the volition of the belligerents and
non-intervention is as far as the world
can go in the interests of peace; and il
the latter is not most tenaciously adhered
to the world will be filled with more
terrible and universal wars than has
heretofore cursed mankind.
The nations are getting nearer to
gether. Their relations are growing
more intimate, intricate and complica
ted. The interests of some are growing
more common to themselves and antago
nistic to others. Masses of men are
emigrating and moving immense ma
tional sentiments from one country to
another and all nations are coming
nearer together either in common bond.
of unity or in a diversity of conflicting
interests and sentiments, so that from
unexpected conditions and unforeseen
causes wars may come. Take for in
stance the present condition which, al
though nothing will come of it, will
serve as an illustration of what might
occur. 1t is rumored that the British
will patrol our Atlantic coast soon tt
forefend against any fenian movement
and it is also rumored that there is
contemplated invasion of Canada. Nov
there is no danger of any thing bein,
accomplished in the latter direction, TO
as much as Ireland has been oppressed
and as glorious as it would be for her t.
conquer her oppressor by going directl.
for her in honorable battle, it would b
equally inglorious to 60 round and fal
OH the backs of a peaceful people VIII
had nothing to do with their grievance
and that too in time of war which ha
no relation to the invader or invaded, Q
if any they were both in like relation
But suppose conditions were different i
the future and the invaders could get
foothOld in Canada at time whel
itself instead of being loyal as it is nov
,, it would be ripe for rebellion who CD
foresee the consequences?
The ocean has become the great higl
way of nations, filled with the crafts {
all countries constantly passing and r
passing. Commerce is moving ever.
where and everybody. There never W;
a time when friendship between all N
tions was as important az now; n,
friendship between some of them in al
: ticipation of trouble with others. Opt
mists see in the dawn of the twentiet
century that of new and glorious civi
ization. Heaven grant the realizatio
of the brightest vision. That will d
pend on whether or not each matte
shall strive for peaceful and rich d
velopment Of it's resources and the cult
walton and refinement Of every nation
element or whether or not the people
: ehe fast commingling nations shall
. robbed of their possessions, their su
:. stance wasted and they and their wiz
and children imprisoned, exiled
slaughtered, stewed and boiled. to fea