The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-09-02
WHICH IS RIGHT?
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HODSOn, VINO spoke at our ChautauQua
has been criticised and regarded as
pessamist and lacking in faith and
all that just because he is far sight
ed statesman and pointed out so clear
ly that if necessity demanded their
defense, it would cost many times
their worth in blood and treasure to
defend our islands in the Pacific I'M
less we were prepared for defense like
other great nations. Some of US can
we'll remember hearing that same
kind of optomistic critics talk at the
beginning of our civil war. Even
after the South had seized most of the
forts and arsenals and Fort Sumter
had been fired on, nearly every one
thought that the struggle would not
amount to anything and such remarks
as, "We can go down there and whip
them out before breakfast. - etc.
were quite common. The writer,
who lived in Erie county. N. Y. re-
members of hearing the remark re-
peatedly, that Erie county can whip
South Carolina and the state of New
York could whip the whole South.
That kind of talk was soon silenced
however. for Lincoln's call for u.s.
600 volunteers was followed by jeff
Davis call for twice that number,
$50, 900, and the repulse of the union
forces at Bull Run. But even then,
the few that did from the beginning
take more serious view of the situa-
tion could have no conception of what
it really meant. No one could have
been made to believe that it meant
four long years of bloodshed in which
every loyal state was to be drawn up
on for men until they could scarcely
be induced to go even when offered
large bounties in addition to their
regular pay and the depleted ranks
had to be filled by CONSUMPTION. One
draft was made for 300. 900 men. An
other for 100000. Why did all this
have to be? Simply because the
South were allowed to make some
of the Necessary preparations. while
the North remained idly looking on.
That is what we are doing now.
We are not keeping pace with the
great powers of the world.
Some way we have been educated
to think that we Americans don t
need to make preparations. We can
get ready and whip anything that
may be sent against US. Allowing
that to be so in the end, what disad-
vantage and what danger we would
have to undergo in fighting one or
more of the great powers that keep in
readiness all the time. Even when
war broke out with little weak Spain,
the people of New York City. San
Francisco and other seaports were ter
ribly alarmed for fear of lombard
ment from Cervera's feet until they
learned that he was bottled up at
Santiago. Then they drew a long
breath of relief.
1t seems to be human nature, not
only for US Americans, but for all ma
tions at least of the Caucasian race
to overestimate our own strength and
underestimate that of an enemy.
| Let two nations of nearly equal
strength go to war and each one will
enter the struggle confident of victory
But in such cases, victory generally
rests with the nation that is the most
thoroughly prepared. Take for ex.
ample the Franco Prussian war.
France out numbered Prussia in popu.
lation and no better soldiers could be
found; but Prussia was the bette,
prepared. We are told that if we dc
right and deal justly with all nations,
we have nothing to fear. That is M
more than Hobson advocated and it is
hoped that we may be God fearing
and righteous nation. but we believe
that God wants his people to use gooc
common sense and act wisely. VIZ
do not believe in this sentimental wa,
} of doing nothing and asking Him tt
protect US.
There is always part for man t,
do and he is to do that part befor.
he can claim or expect Divine help
Even when Lazarus was raised from
the dead there was a part for Laza
rus friends to do. When the Lor,
came to the tomb he told them t,
take away the stone that lay at tn,
mouth of the cave. So it ever is
If we are too lazy, or too full o
unbelief to do our part. We need no
expect help from above. y Faith with