Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14
By HUDSON MAXIM

the announcement that Herbert
Spencer. the great philosopher was
very Ill and not expected to live. On the front
page of the same paper, under bold headlines was
a three-counln article the physical condition of
John L. Sullivan ohm L. Sullivan fighter;
Herbert Spencer was only philosopher Hence the
difference in public interest. The manhood of the
best OF us is only something migrated the brute.
We all have dual personaty-the intellectual
humane man. and the fighting brute. But the war
spirit has had its in the struggle for existence
and in the building up of nations.
Since that remote time when Our onnnivorous
ancestors climbed down from their abodes in trees
and fought for place in their environment and fed
every living thing in earth and sea and sky the
good things of life have been for those who fought
tor them. Through all the ages has hewn the
living flesh from off the bones of every breathing
thing, and won the mastery of all the earth: and
the lighting spirit in has become a part of the
very spirit of life itself. And it finds expression
1T business as we'll as war.
There can be real difference of opinion think
about the desrability OF an international peace
tribunal for what it may be worth. But it must
be realized that the fighting spirit has not vet died
out of the hearts OF men, else are likely vastly
to overestmate the ability of such tribunal to
prevent wars.
Sentiment Unsafe Guide
TT is not only a duty, but an opportunity for
Americans to join hearts and hands with the people
Of other nations in this peace movement; but Wis
dom must concert with action We must be guided
by actual needs instead of sentimental consdera-
tons. What is most to the point is self interest
Human nature, like other natural agencies moves
the lines of least resistance, which generally lie
through self interest. International brotherhooderv
IS good topic tor the poets and orators but COM
merclal interests bring down to business We
are learning that international business interests
more closely related than brothers. and that
these upset by war. We must not estimate the
value of evidence by its accordance with our opin-
ions; but must estimate the value of our opinions
by their accordance with evidence To fight for
peace and against war, we must for it. and not
disarm for it. We must not draw the teeth of the
watch dog at the door of security; better sharpen
his teeth for greater security.
The worst enemies of the peace movement are
those hypersentimental friends who demand the
abolition OF ornaments, and who would brand the
soldier a criminal and stamp our old war heroes
murderers We do not want posterity to hang
George Washington in etfigy nor to pull down the
statues of General Grant. nor to level the monu-
ments erected to the soldiers fallen in our old wars
for freedom We want posterity to think kindly
Of the great Lincoln, Who while he fought like a
hon, yet mingled his tears with the blood of his
enemies, with malice toward none and with charity
for all. We want posterity to sing the old songs
about Lexington Concord. and The Sword of
Bunker Hill
Human life is something sacred; but is not life