The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-08-12
War and
Commerce
''War is a PaStime That is Highly
Appreciated by a Majority
of Men,"

Diamond Jubilee, the Science and Art
Club organized, as fitting token of
their esteem, a large dinner and garden
party, to which the leading men of all
nations were invited. Kew Gardens,
on the banks of the River Thames were
engaged for the purpose and as invita-
tlons had been issued in time to enable
the most distantly located to be present
the concourse was as numerous as it
was distinguished.
Never before had the dwellers in the
vicinage of Kew witnessed spectacle
analogous to this the elite of the worlds
society ,dresse ed as for state occasion;
and among them all was the writer in
the capacity of waiter. The day
selected was August 5, which turned
out to be one of the hottest ever known
in England. The duties of a waiter at
gatherings of this description are siren
uous, especially so when one happens
to be, as was at the time, excited by
the prospect of beholding face to face
some of the worlds immortals.
Great men, in public, differ but little
from the ordinary kind, except perhaps
that some of the greatest Of them are
little more awkward, nervous aud re-
served than seems to be necessary.
After scurrying about for awhile with
eyes and ears as wide open as discretion
would permit, my interest began to flag
and l sought a secluded spot where
perhaps might rest awhile unnoticed.
A conservatory little removed from
the general grounds had hitherto es-
capped the notice Of the guests and this
l succeeding in reaching. had been
Sc lted but few seconds when heard
the sound of approaching voices; had
barely time to dodge behind some ferns
before their owners entered and took
seat on the side of the aisle up which
must pass to escape. Stealing peep
through one of the palm clusters rec
ognized them as the two most promi-
nent personages of the time-Sir Harry
Guildford, England's leading diplomat
and statesman, and Mile Cacrow, geni-
us of great versatility who in addition
to being a poetess and authoress was
in possession of other degrees usually
bestowed upon superior talent by uni
versities.
AS they entered the diplomat was
saying: "But you must admit that
there are occasions when war is justif-
able and honorable ?"
81 do not admit it!' answered his
companion. "War is nOxious growth
that finds root in the Unbalanced con-
dition of human society, a disaster un-
der any circumstances, though often
necessary as consequence of the un-
equad conditions under which we live.
| 1t is one of the two principles-War or
commerce-that is ever striving for
mastery of the human race, the object
of one being to create-the other, to
destroy. The one spreads the comforts
of industry and peace, mitigates suf-
fering and causes cities to rise where
previously desert st0Od, is responslDlo
for organization and order, prevents
pestilence and prohibits famine. The
| other has but one object-destructlon,
for suffering, misery and poverty but
one remedy-deathl Its success is es-
timated by the amount of ruin it ac-
complishes, whilst victory brings re-
ward not to the people who bear its
burdens, but to a selected few, whose
position under any circumstance is as
sured."
| 81 admit the facts of your statement,
Mademoiselle," observed the diplomat
as they arose to leave, "but you will
find it exceedingly difficult to convince
the human family of these truths, for |
assure you war is pastime highly ap-
preciated by the majority Of men,"
d. M.