The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1904-02-03
PEACE,

Bryan spoke to the toast "Peace."
Among other things he said:
II is not upon the plutocracy of
wealth, nor upon the aristocracy of
learning, but upon the Democracy
of the heart that the hope of the
universal arbitration and perma-
nent peace must rest. Today an
increasing number of people
throughout the world, standing
upon the nights. are learning that
God is not in the ironclads. nor in
the armies, but in the still small
voice Of Justice that issues from
the tribunals like that recently in
stituted at The Hague.
1t goes without the saying that
Mr.. Bryan is entirely sincere and
that he voices the opinion as well
as the hope of many people the
world over. Peace among nations
as well as among individuals is q
thing to be desired. Upon that
question there can be no disagree
ment. That high quality of civil
ization which has been the dream
of 30 many will no doubt result in
the settlement of differences Re.
tween nations without war. But
We seriously fear that long road
must be travelled before we reach
the domain where arbitration rules
supreme. Some headway has been
made. Nations of equal strength
sometimes listen to the voice of
compromise and weaker nations
submit without war to the de.
mands of their stronger opponents.
And sometimes a great power will
put out its hand to prevent the de-
struotion or unnecessary humilis-
ton of a lesser one. Instances of
the latter class. however, are spor-
adic, and are usually directed by
self-interest, but not always. The
United States has performed some
disinterested acts of this character,
expecting no more than the friend
ship of the beneficiary of its inter,
vention. An ideal state may be
hoped for and worked for, but hu-
man nature must be taken into &C
count. Human nature may change
but it will change slowly, as is ev-
idenced by the centuries of which
we have knowledge. When ii
comes to questions of conflict the
destinies of nations are ruled By
their men, perhaps. but behind
them are the women, emotional,
enthusiastic, squirting them to ao-
ton. II will be conceded that wo-
men like men of courage, fighting
men, If you please, and the men
know this. A man of peace is not
necessarily ramby-pamby, but if
the call to action comes and be
does not respond he is likely to be
made to feel exceedingly lonesome.
In the course of some thousands
of years all mankind may be stand
ing on the nights to which Mr.
Bryan refers. For the time being,
however, ironolads and armies are
not to be despised. AS matters
stand today preparation for war is
the best preserver of peace. These
statements are not made in spirit
of pessimism. They are prompted
by recognition of things as they
are and as they are likely to be
long after the generations living
are dust. In the end the voice of
Justice may work its will between
nations and individuals, but in the
meantime it is, to say the least,
good policy to keep on the safe
side. The advice of that eminent
philosopher. David Harum, to do
unto the other fellow what he
would dc-unto you. and do it first, "
is not without practical signifi-
canoe in this material age, however
much We may question it from
other standpoints.
When the first President Harri-
con died in Office, his deputy,
John Tyler, was not elected to
succeed him; when General Taylor
died in office, Willard Fillmore
was not elected to succeed him;
when Lincoln was slain, johnson
was not elected to succeed him;
when Garfield was murdered.
Arthur was not elected to succeed
him. Il fact, noBs of the promot-
ed vice. presidents ever got the
Residential nomination. "The
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