The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-05-31

tration instead OF by armed conflicts.
According to press reports of the past
few weeks, it would seem that the sem
timent in favor of diplomacy and arbi-
tration in international disputes had,
comet-like, returned to other parts OF
the universe ! think that no one will
argue that armies and nayes are UNI
necessary, or that they are not an
agency for general good, but there are
good arguments for the statement that
the nations at this time are augmen-
ting their armies beyond the necessi-
ties warranted by the attitude of any
one nation towards another one
might almost surmise that the extent
of ornaments is a measure of interna-
tiona distrust 1t is pleasant to note
however, that the United States is not
a party to the frenzy that is now Sweep
ing over Europe. 1t is estimated that
between six and seven billion dollars
per year are being spent in maintain
ing the European armies. But the
spending of money is not the dark side
of this situation; it is the withdrawal
of such large numbers of able bodied
men from productive and resourceful
employment. Whether our army and
navy is already too large for these
times of peace is a question on which
there may be an honest difference OF
opinion: but it is pertinent to say
that it is not sapping our resources nor
Withdrawing our men to any alarming
extent from industry.
1t may be rightly maintained that
the forces of the United States are es-
sential for the proper policing of our
extensive shores and to insure and en-
courage our industries and commerce,
but it is also the duty of every citizen,
community or state to see that these
forces shall never be called on for pro-
testion against overt acts or to defend
iniudicious legislation against the sub
jects of another nation. 1t is gle
rious record that the United States has
never engaged in wars of conquest, but
only those in the cause of humanity
and justice.
ception of peace, that which has for
its price, Incidence, timidity and leth-
argy; and that which comes though the
acquisition of justice and righteous
ness even though it be by sword and
bayonet. This type of peace is that
which has been upheld in all the con-
flicts of the United States and it is this
type of peace that the present genera
ton stands ready to maintain. IL is
to be noted that the higher phases OF
righteousness and liberty come only
through conflicts with oppression, cor
ruption and other forms of evil, and 1t
is by these conflicts that nations grow
into greatness. That individual or
community who is willing to sacrifice
his or its best in life for the peace that
comes from Sinking duty or turning
blind to the manifestations OF OPP
preston and inhumanity is not the type
( Of citizen bred in the United States.
The maintenance of peace through
force Tor righteousness is not the only
manifestation of patriotism-the es-
sence of patriotism is the sacrifice OF
personal interest to public welfare, and
this priciple may exist everywhere ana
with all people. 1t may be manifested
by the individual in civil life, by the
community and the state. Thus when
a citizen observes the regulations OF
the Board of Health against the spread
of disease or sacrifices property inter-
ests for the general good of the COM
munity, or when one part of the COM
munity sacrifices its individual good tor
the whole, trus patriotism is manifest
ed. And this patriotism leads to the
liberty and states of peace towards
which civilization is tending. what
ever the size of the social group, the
character of the service is the same
Many of us think that we cannot gel
into the large current of activities
through the accomplishment of the 1T
tie daily tasks that are set before us
but it is only by doing the little things
that our community demands OF us
that we attain to the highest standards
of liberty and peace.
Perhaps no greater example of pa
triotism in public service may be found
than in the administration Of ex-presi-
dent Roosevelt. During the last de-
cade and more, grave problems in the
welfare of the United States have
arisen: The issue of bimetallism, the
development of corporations, the regu
laton of transportation and the waste
of natural resources. Any one of thes'
large problems bears the elements o
friction that might have sent the cour
try on the downward trend had ther'
not been such patriots at the helm, o
whom Roosevelt is type. The on
great problem that threatens the peace
of our country today is national uh
righteousness. Wealth and luxury arr
not threatening except as they are cor
rupt; trades unionism is no menace eX
10y