The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-01-12

.--@s---
membered and the map Of Europe
was changed.
"Cicero tells us that when pirate
was once brought before Alexander
the Great, the general reproached him
for his crimes on the high seas. You
are greater robber and murderer than
T. replied the pirate, for while 1 have
plundered and slain few you are the
slayer and robber of nations
ut is subject of great concern to
the friends of the gospel of peace that
Christian Europe presents today the
spectacle of huge military camp. Ala
the nations of the continent. as we'll
as England, are armed to the teeth.
and are living in mutual dread and
dlstrust of each other. They are de-
voured by an Unsuitable 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 Won NAV
expect the thunderclap of battle to
fesound at any moment. Armed ma
lions, like armed individuals. are a
constant menace to one another, and
are easily provoked to fight.
And these military forces, instead.
VI diminishing, are unhappily increas.
ing every year. AS soon as one na-
ZION augments its armament it's neigh.
Dor feels impelled to do likewise in
self-protection.
According to report complied and
puollshed In 1887 from official sources
the army list of Europe on a war foot.
ingcomprisednearly Il, 900 900 men and
the annual cost of maintaining the
military establishments, even in time
OF peace, exceeded $60O,OO0,OOO. At.
Tue present time the cost would prob
aoiy amount to $1,OO0,OOO,0OO. Z
when we consider the immense
numoer OF men that are torn from the
posoms Of their families in the nr,me
VI hie' that are withdrawn from acs
1--WE industrial pursuits, when we sen
tnese young men negotiating in idle
ness IN time of peace, and luxuriatino
IN Incense and dissipation in time Of
war; we may form some idea of the
MORAL material and social evils result.
ing from such system. In contam
platlng these standing armies the
calm observer might be forced to ron.
ciuoe that European governments
We're primarily established to destroy
rather than to save life. to foster hon.
plness and develop the resources Of .
country. - q
May God so guide our legislators
ana statesmen that they NAV never ho
betrayed into initiating European GOV.
ernments by the establishment ~
formidable standing armies. God for
do that we ourselves, flushed with ~.
cent victories, should ever become In
.o1'cated with the wine of imner,al.
ism or militarism, but may we always
toiiow the traditions of the fathers ~
the republic. e1' VI
n.1nerto we have presented to tho
world a beautiful spectacle. Nurono
ans accustomed at home to moot
soluer or gendarme at every street
corner on arriving in this country have
oeen hAed with surprise and ado,,.
tlon tnat a nation Of SO vast extan+
ana with such an immense nonu1ot,as
contains an army of only 25,ooo man
icy nave been forcibly impressed
win the fact that they can travel fror,
NAME to California without mootin.
a single soldier. They see that evar1
c.t'zen OF the United States is sol.
ulei without uniform engaged in tho
active pursuits of life and ready a. =
moments notice to defend his com
Try. They would feel that we ara ~
strong nation because we cheerfu1,v
DOW to the majesty of the law and arc
not confronted and intimidated by mil
1tary satraps. May this fair picture
never be defaced.
every Christian nation of the world
mas It's own national flag; it fights I'M
DER It's own chosen leaders, it listens
TO It's own favorite war cry.
But there is one banner heforo
which they all should bow. and that
IS the banner Of the cross: there is
one Leader whom they should all re-
we're and worship, and that is Christ.
the Prince of Peace. There is ono
clarion trumpet to which they all
should hearken, and that is the trim.
pet of the gospel The teachings ~
the gospel form the only basis of
peace Tor the rulers Of the earth. Nav
our rulers and magistrates be ever
guided by the golden maxim of Christ.
What We would that men should do
unto you do We unto them in like man.
ner'
God grant that the new century
winch has just dawned upon us NAV
ihaugurate new era of peace, full
nlhng the prophecy Of Isaiah: sThev
snail turn their swords into nlow.
shares and their spears into sick,os.
nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they be exercised
any more by war;"