Evening star., 1909-05-07
Peace and the Weather.

Two topics are always in order, and
often under discussion-peace. and the
weather. Everybody wants peace, and
everybody appreciates good weather. But
1t is not possible to have both all the
time. There are periods Of disturbances
in the affairs of men, as there are atmos-
pherical disturbances. Storms will come,
and must be taken into all safe calcula-
tions.
No leader in any civilized country de-
clares for war. The declaration Is for
peace. The three foremost generals in the
great struggle for the preservation of the
Union closed their days as advocates or
peace. Let us have peace said Cen
Grant War is hell said Gen. Sher-
man, in summing up its horrors. Il hope
never to draw my sword again" said
Gen. Sheridan, with the utmost earnest
ness.
But did one of these eminent captains
declare for disarmament? Did any OF
them think the country would be justi-
fled in saying "good-bye'' to the army
and the navy? On the contrary, were
not all of them in favor of keeping up
our provisions for defense. both on land
and sea. to the safest level? Their
knowledge of men and their experience
with the world had taught them that
peace was best assured by the most per-
feet equipment for war.
But there are eminent men who take
the other view. They see in preparation
for war only Indictment to war; and
would remove the temptation. OF this
number MIR. Justice Brewer is one of the
most outspoken. He has recorded himself
on several occasions in strong terms. and
at the meeting of the American Peace
and Arbitration League in Washington
last evening said:
IF the United States since the Span
ish-American war, had diverted the enor-
nous amounts expended to build up
great navy and maintain large army TO
liquidating our national debt. no nation
in the world would think of attacking
us.
Without national debt, and our
enormous resources at our command. the
world would respect us and fear to at
tack us. Billions of dollars have been
spent in the last ten years in building the
navy and maintaining the army. Just
think of this amount being utilized to pay
off the national debt, and it is easy to
conceive that there would be more likeli-
hood of international peace, SO far as we
would be concerned. The future of this
country will be better and brighter when
we say goodbye to the large army and
navy.
Is this good advice? Does it square
with the history of mankind? Would any
President of the United States advise
Congress in such terms? Would any
Congress accent such advice from a
President? If we had nothing with which
to defend ourselves, and were the richest
nation on the globe. would other nations
stand I'm awe of us? On the contrary,
should we not become speedily the spoil
of militant mankind? For, as every
body knows. all mankind is armed, and
the most powerful nations are, with
temptation and under everyday i'm
pulse. quick on the trigger
The very best way to bid goodbye"
to our present, and to cancel all plans
for the future, would be to bid good
bye to the army and navy. Strip us
for the millennium, when tire thousand
year period is not in sight here, nor ex-
pected elsewhere, and we should cut
the figure of the enthusiast. who, per-
suaded that the end of the world was at
hand. clothed himself in white and sought
an open field to catch the trumpet's blast.