The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-18

courage and splendid fighting qualities
of our countrymen will never fail in
time of need, it is still a grave question
whether the cheapening of our eSti-
mate of the value of peace by dwell
ing upon war is calculated to improve
the quality of our national character
1t is difficult to deal with the ques-
ton of war at this time and avoid mis-
conception and misrepresentation, but
we are considering American citizen
ship and endeavoring to find it's best
and most useful characteristics and
how they can be most effectively Gull
tivated and securely preserved From
this standpoint war is a hateful thing
which we should Shun as antagoniStic
to the objects OF our national existence,
as threatening decentralization to our
national character and as obstructive
to our national destiny.
WAR A MENACE TO THE NATION.
While thus suggesting the forbiddlng
traits of war, 1 should be guilty of an
attempt to mislead if 1 failed to say
that there are conditions which not
only justify war but make a resort to
it a duty.
No nation, however peacefully in
clined and whatever the consequences
may be, can determine that it will in
no circumstances engage in war. Bad
as it is and deplorable as its incidents
are, no government can refuse war at
the risk of imperilling its existence or
sacrificing the rights and interests it
holds in trust for its people and for
humanity and civilization. In view of
such an unacceptable liability to be
brought face to face with the question
of war, and in view of wars real ma
ture and demoralizing effect upon our
national life and character, we cannot
fail to be most seriously impressed by
the reflection that we have expressly
authorized those to whom we have in
trusted our public affairs to determine
for us the momentous issue of peace or
war, and that if the determination be
for war our ready and unquestioning
acquiescence becomes patriotism and
the support of our country's 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 unjustifiable 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
dtionS emphasize in the strongest pos
sible manner the importanceiof 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 its de-
SlSnS anu PURPOSES, VI WHO Is HOT VIII
ing by actual interference to guard it
against abuses and insidious perver-
sion as we'll 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 to Inislead, and the
pretense of devotion to these princi-
pies may mask nothing better than the
advocacy of blind and mischievous
partisanship.
If such things constituted good citi-
zenship we might congratulate our
country, for we have them in abun-
dance Inasmuch, however, as they
are really evils which sadly afflict and
endanger us, it is of the utmost i'm
portance that there should be infused
into our body polite the counteracting
remedy of true, patriotic, unSelfiSh
American citizenship.
This grows out of a love OF our Gov
eminent, for its own sake and for what
it does for every citizen. 1t is thought
full and intelligent; it has a clear I'M
derstanding of the doctrines upon which
our Government rests; it rejoices in
American traditions; it glories in
American objects and purposes, and is
proudly contented with the accepted
mission of the United States among
the nations of the earth.