Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-01-10

land aad America are opposed to war.
We only wish to be let alone. Men with
wives, children, sweethearts, homes,
aged parents. do not want to go off and
fight some one. We are peaceable and
wish to be kind; we fear war; We
hate it.
War is hell.
We would like to obey the Golden
Rule.
But the Superior Class will not have
it so-they pass conscription laws. and
use the army thus conscripted to con-
script other men.
War is the sure result of the exis-
tence of armed men. That country
which maintains large standing army
will sooner or later have a war on
hand The man who prides himself
on fsticufTs is going. come day, to
meet man who considers himself the
better man, and they will fight. Ger
many and France have no issue save
desire to see which is the better man.
They have fought once-more than
that, many times-and they will fight
again. Not that the people want to
fight, hut the Superior Glass fan fright
into fury and make men think they
must fight to protect their homes.
So the people who wish to follow the
teachings of Christ are not allowed to
do so, but are taxed, outraged, de-
ceived by governmeuts-by the Super
ior Glass who demand that we shall
lead the Strenuous Life, when all We
ask is the privilege of doing our work
and doing unto others as we would
be done by.
Christ taught humility, meekness,
the forgiveness OF ones enemies, and
that to kill was wrong. The Bible
teaches men not to swear, but the SUI
perior Glass swear us on the Bible in
which they do not believe.
The question is, how are we to re-
lieve ourselves of these cormorants
who toll not but who are clothed IN
broadcloth and blue, with brass buttons
and many costly accoutrements: who
feed upon our substance, and for whom
we delve and dig.
Shall we fight them?
No, we do not believe in bloodshed
and besides that they have the guns
and the money and they would use
these guns bought by money We have
earned-taxed ou: of us-they would
use these guns and use their army to
kill US off speedily.
They have the money and the guns
and can hold out longer than we-
But who composes this army that
they would order to fire upon US?
Why, our neighbors and brothers
deceived into the idea that they are
doing Gods service by protecting their
country from its enemies. When the
fact is our country has no enemies save
the Superior Glass. that preteDds to
look out for our interests if we will
only obey and consent to be taxed.
Thus do they siphon our resources
and turn our true brothers upon US to
subdue and humiliate US. You cannot
send a telegram to your wife, nor an
express package to your friend. nor
draw a check for your grocer until
you first pay the tax to maintain armed
men who can quickly be used to kill
you; and who will surely imprison you
if you do not pay.
An army is menace.
The only relief lies IN education
Educate men not to fight, and that i
is wrong to kill. Teach them tht
Golden Rule. and yet again teach then
the Golden Rule. Silently defy thli
Superior Glass by refusing to bow
down to their fetch of bullets. Ceas'
supporting the preachers who cry fol
war, and spout patriotism for consld
Grafton. We believe in Christine.
do not. Christ spoke what he thought
they speak what they think will pleas
the men in power-the Superior Glass
We will not enlist. We will no
shoot on their order. We will no
..charge bayonet" upon mild an'
gentle people. We will not fire upoI
shepherds aud farmers, fighting TO
their fire-sides. upon suggestion of Ceci
Rhodes. ..the richest man in Sout
, Africa"
America can never become the Idea
Republic-the home and refuge OF a
that is best in art and science. the fu
+ flIment of the dreams of seers an
prophets unless We cease modelin
; our political policy after the rottin
, monarchies of Europe. Force e1
pends itself and dies. every army
; marching to its death. nothing but
. skull and skeleton fills helmet an
, cuirass, the aggressor is overcome b
RI the poison of his pride, victory is onl
another name for defeat, but the Spir
. of GentIeness and Truth is eterna