Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-13

birth 10 war, and that though Il has
been abundantly demonstrated that the
courage and splendid fighting qualities
Of our countrymen viii never fall IN
time Of need, It is still a grave question
whether the cheapenlng Of our est.
mate of the value of peace by dwell.
ing upon war Is calculated to improve
the quality Of our national characte
IL is difficult to deal with the ques.
ton OF war al this time and avoid mis-.
conception and misrepresentation, but
we are considering American citizen.
ship and endeayorlng To ma It's best
and most useful characteristics and
how they can be most effectively cu.
tlvated and securely preserved, From
this standpoint war Is a hateful thing
which we should shun as antagonists
to the objects of our national eXlstence,
as threatening Generalization to our
national character and as obstructive
to our national destiny.
WAR A MENACE TO THE NATION
While thus suggesting the forbiddng
traits Of war, should be guilty Of an
attempt TO mslead II failed 10 say
that there are conditions which not
only Justify war but make a resort 70
1t duty
No nation, however peacefully In.
cllned and whatever the consequences
may be, can determine that II viii In
no circumstances engage In war. Bad
as II is and deplorable as Its incidents
are, no government can refuse war a,
the risk Of imperllling its existence OF
sacrificing the rights and interests Il
holds in trust for its people and tor
| humanity and civilization. In view o.
such an unacceptable liability 10 be
| brought face to face with the question
OF war, and In view Of wars real na.
ture and demoralzlng effect upon our
| national life and character. we canno,
| fail 10 be most seriously impressed by
| the reflection that we have expressly
authorized those TO whom we have IN.
trusted our public affairs to determine
I for us the momentous issue Of peace o.
war, and that II the determination be
| for war our ready and unquestionlng
acquescence becomes patriotism and
the support Of our countrys contention
becomes good citizenship.
How then shall the people protect
| themselves against the folly OF de-
parture from their national purposes
and against the crime Of unnecessary
and unjustifable war? Manifestly by
an intelligent study on their part OF the
| character OF their Government, and the
exaction Of a clear apprehension, on the
part Of those who would represent them
In public life OF their nations mission
and OF the baleful effect of war upon
their nations health These consider
atoms emphasize in the strongest pos.
slble manner the Importance Of larger
participation by thoughtful and edu.
Gated men In political affairs.
No man can lay claim In a proper
sense TO true American citizenship who
does not interest himself in matters
pertaining TO our Government, who
does not inform himself as to It's de.
signs and purposes, or who Is not VIII
ing by actual interference to guard Il
against abuses and insidious peryer'
sion as well as against open attack.
No one increases his claim to good
citizenship who interests himself IN
public matters for purely selfish pur'
poses and to accomplish personal ends
A man may acquire a knowledge OF
the principles Of our Government and
use his knowledge 10 mslead, and the
pretense OF devotion TO these prine-
ples may mask nothing better than the
advocacy Of blind and mischieyous
partlsanship.
II such things constituted good cltl'
zenship we might congratulate our
country, for we have them In album
dance. Inasmuch however, as they
are really evils which sadly afliot and
endanger as, II Is Of the utmost I'm.
portance that there should be infused
into our body polite the counteractns
remedy Of true, patriotic, unselfsh
American citizenship.
This grows out Of love OF our Gov.
eminent, for its own sake and for what
IL does for every citizen. 1t is thought
full and intelligent; II has clear un'
Outstanding of the doctrines upon which
our Government rests; II rejolces u
American traditions: II glories IN
American objects and purposes, and IS
proudly contented with the accepted
mission OF the United States among
, the nations Of the earth.