The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-02-01
G. /. S. @. DEBATE.
Resolved That has been beneficial to civilization and
that it is necessity.
The Negative Argument by E. G. A.

Let me quote paragraph from the
preface to the modern edition of
Creasy's "Decisive Battles" This book
is regarded as standard. 1t is the
one which my opponent has thrown at
you so frequently. 1t was originally
published in 1851 and republished in
1898, bnt with this warning in the pref
ace: "The modern fashion of writing
history is to ignore dynasties and mill
tary operations as much as possible,
and even to treat legislation and forms
of government as rather incidental
than essential, while mercantile and
industrial developments are dwelt upon
and religious and intellectual move
ments traced-the results being called
histories of the people as distinguished
from the sovereigns or the govern
ment."
do not deny for moment that the
outcome or result of each of these
battles was of the greatest Importance,
if there had to be war or battles, but it
is question Of war itself being bene-
6cial
Taking his argument in detail and
following so far as possible the logical
and chronological sequence, we find
first (altho in fact nearly at the end of
his argument) that he tells you that
civilization in the broad sense is liberty.
It is true that it does include this. But
It includes great deal more. And
when it does speak of liberty 1t means
"true liberty" not "license." Not lib
erty to the strong physically and intel
Iectually to oppress the weak, but
liberty to the weak as we'll as the
strong, to pursue their health, wealth
and happiness, guaranteed by the
collectivism or cooperation of all the
members of civilized society or COM
munity. This can be secured only by
government.
He cited examples of different bat
ties. First, you will remember, he
described in most glowing terms the
first spark of liberty in ancient Athens
and the beginnings of civilization. AT
least one-half of what he had to say
had to do with tracing the spark OF
liberty and those beginnings of civi.
lization down to the present time
Therefore war is advantageous to civi
, lization; because in this instance it die
not do quite so much damage as usual
, So, too, in connection with Syracuse
defeat of Varus, Chalons, Tours
|, Orleans, Armada, he has described ben
efits which have accrued to civilization
r all of which would have been destroyed
| but for the fortunate termination O.
], those battles. And in e0e1y instance
. the instrument of destruction woult
4 have been-what? Did he say Peace
= Oh no, not Peace, but War.
q Also in every instance an enormou
! number of human lives were sacrifice,
and what was the gainp Nothing
Q absolutely nothing. The most that h
n can say is that benefits that had bee
: built up by peaceful methods wer
o preserved.
d Gentlemen, it is possible that at th
|, end of our arguments, following
J. precedent established by himself, b
q will tell you he has been speaking fc
d the affirmative, and it will be policy o
Il his part to do so, because you cannt
t be expected to know it from that kin
q of an argument.
d He also cited two instances whic
d differed from the others in that tt
It aggressors were successful. The can
e paigns Of Alexander the Great and tt
D. Norman Conquest of Britain. Wha
"a ever benefits followed the reign (
1t Alexander the Great came, not fro
n war, but from the fact that Alexand'
le was an able administrator and educate
l. as we'll as an able general. He to-
le you how he built up the city whi(
r, was named after himself. He did N
st do that by war. War is an entire
D. destructive force instead of a constru
n tive one. Take the Battle of Hastin9
The benefits from that battle are e.