New-York tribune., 1901-01-07
CARDINAL GIBBONS'S PLEA
a PRAYER THAT AMERICA MAY NOT BE-
COME AN ARMED CAMP LIKE EUROPE.


COME AN ARMED CAMP LIKE EUROPE.
Baltimore, jan s-CardinaI Gibbons to-day de-
livered sermon high mass in the Cathedral. IN
which he reviewed briefly the events Of the century
just closed, with special reference to the wars
which have been waged during that period as a
preface 10 an urgent plea for universal peace. he
incidentally touched upon the subject or the pro-
posed increase Of the standing Army IN this couh-
try pointing out the evil results arising from the
maintenance Of large bodies of armed men IN Eu-
rope and expressed the hope that similar condi-
tons may never obtain in this country The ser
mon was in part as follows
Before. the advent Of Christ war was the rule; a
peace the exception thr3agnout ea eae ST befoTe
the coming OF our Saviour. that the sacred writer
of the EeSr as IS the Usual period for the reOpenng
q hose In 9 r. Rome Deace sns and Sap open
m time Of war From the reign OF dui.Is AIsns HHs
Cesar a period covering six hundred and fifty
years. the temple was closed only for six years.
quillity against six hundred and forty-four OF
But although wars are less frequent and less
inhuman in the Christian dispensatiOn than in
vet far removed from the millennium of universal
peace. Glory God in the highest, and on earth
angels IN the night Of our saviour's birth in
Bethlehem Alth3ugn these 1 WORDS nave ] DsSh ,o ne
thousand years. and though Christianity is the
refection that il had not yet succeeded in
resting and establishing the permanent reign
OF peace on that Continent In fact the nine
teenth century, from its dawn TO its sunset mas
culinary struggles between the nations OF Christian
penditure Of men and money, England is en-
deavoring TO bring to successful close her war
with the South African republics. It is stated that
this campaign will cost England $780, 0OOO.0OO
subject Of war? Although the cornerstone Of the
Constitution is peace with all nations and en-
hands four wars in the century just brought TO
Great Britain ain WheS wss usabIe ~ on @ OUR part
because 1t was war of defence In 1896 the Mexl-
in 1861. lasting four years: and We have recently
closed the war with Spain. which resulted in the
all her foreign possessions.
Imagination revels in the contemplation Of the
heroic achievements of famous generals We listen
the victors and the sound Of martial H music We
seem 10 catch the spirit of enthusiasm by which
note of the shrieks and agonies of the soldiers
yeltering in their blood the battlefield. We have
no thought of the sick and wounded lying in hos
pitals and prisons We unmndful of SORROW
Ing for the loved ones far away We DO not pict-
ure to ourselves the homes made desolate, the
''Rachels bewailing their children and would not
be comfOrted. because they are not" During the
McHenry and Fort Marshall, and 1 had many
occasions TO contemplate the frightful calamities
oecasioned by war General Sherman remarked in
his blunt and expressive language that War is
aapPenng ito to c9nTere ,t ;s Win enera1 SneT
His face assumed an expression of sadness, and
witness another
Is it not a mockery of justice and a scandal to
the pagan world to see two Christian nations cut
ting each others throaF In the name or Chrlstlan
civilization? is IL not outrage to contemplate
one nation forcing by the sword her laws, her
government and political institutions on another
nation in the interests of trade and commerce. as
II merchandise and dollars and cents were of more
value than human lives? Is it not monstrous to
Selling her territories the hypocritical plea of
rectifying her boundaries? This rectihcation Of
boundaries is very old practice and is a polite
name for robbery on large scale
IL is subject Of great concern TO the friends or
sents to-day the spectacle of huge military camp
An the nations Of the Continent. well England
armed TO the teeth, and are living in mutual
devoured by an insatisbie ambition OF conquest
and dominion or by fear OF invasion When you
see heavy clouds surcharged with the electricity
OF war hanging over these nations. you may eX-
pect the thunder clap of battle to resOund at any
moment. Armed nations. ---le, armed individuals.
easily provoked to fight. And these military
forces. instead OF diminishing. are unharpily in
May God so guide our legislators and statesmen
that they may be betrayed into initiating
formidable standing armiesi God forbid that
ourselves flushed with recent victories. should
become intoxicated with the wine OF imperialism
or miitar1sTn, but may we always follow the ira
ditions OF the Fathers Of the RepUblici
Hitherto we have presented TO the world a beau
tlTul spectacle. Europeans, accustomed at nome
meet a soldier gendarme at every street
ner arriving in this country have been filed
with surprise and admiration that nation OF so
vast extent and with such immense pOpu-
latiOl, contains army Of only 5000 men. They
have been forcibly impressed with the fact that
meeting single soldier. They see that every citi
zen Of the United States IS a soldier without uni
ready at a moments notice to defend his country.
They would feel that are strong nation be-
and are not confronted and intimidated by military
satraps. May this fair picture never be defaced!