Semi-weekly herald., 1910-06-02

But we take up the SuDlcCl because
we consider ii proper one for this
occasion. because II is the ultimate
purpose for which you fought. and be-
cause in the creation of a sentiment
which shall demand universal peac~.
YOU who have experienced war. can
have and do have NO unimportant
part.
The opinion that war is always use
less is fast gaining ground.
Upon this subject we find every
shade of belief. ranging from the ex-
that war is in every instance dis
obedience of the laws of God and man.
and therefore never justifiable, to The
opposite, of those who think that ;hc
nation should be quick to avenge ev-
cry insult by means of arms.
Recognition needs to be taken, in
this connection. OF the fact, that not
all nations desire to do the right. IL
is with nations as with individuals.
II you desire to do only the right, and
your neighbors desire the same. and
YOU are willing to discuss matters I'M
til you reach an understanding, there
will be no difficulty between you and
your neighbors. So it is with nations
II all wish only the right, and strive
together to ascertain the right. there
will be little difficulty. But as long
as some desire other than the right
and will not listen to reason, some
kind of force will be required
There are those who hold that war
is essential for the development of the
sterner virtues; that armed conflict
brings out qualities that are essential
to the wellbeing of the race. In the
words of our ex-president in her Ber
lin address:
"One of the prime dangers of civili'
cation has always been its tendency
to cause the loss of the virile fighting
virtues, of the fighting edge. When
men get too comfortable and lead too
luxurious lives there Is always danger
their manliness of fiber The bMbar-
ian. because OF the very conditions of
his life, is forced to keep and de
velop certain hardy qualities which
the man of civilization tends to lose,
whether he be clerk. factory hand,
merchant or even certain type of
farmer
The danger is evident. But is war
the only safeguard? We think not.
Someone has said Martial virtues, al
though originally gained through war,
are absolute and permanent human
goods" These virtues require exer-
else, but war, we claim, is not the
only occasion for their exercise. If It
is true thai war is n necessity for the
development of the highest and best in
character. and 1t is true in all nations.
why should not England and the Unit.
ed States. now that they have had no
extensive wars for some years. agree
to meet in deadly combat for. say.
two years along the Canadian border.
There let the best military tactics.
and the most efficient engines of mod.
ern times for the destruction of life
and property be employed At the
same time let the powerful navics
meet on the North Atlantic and there
batter to pieces each others floating
forts. Then saying nothing about the
sacrifice of life and property, the two
nations ranking among the highest in
the worlds civilization, will according
to this theory, forge out of the con
flict the highest type of manhood.
Then will the widows. sisters, orphans
mage become the highest type of wo-
manhood. Can ideal manhood and
womanhood be purchased in that man
ner? If 1t could, would we be willing
to pay the price?
Having touched upon a few of the
arguments against war. let us hasten
on to others of more positive ma
ture, viz: Some considerations show
ing the desirability of international
peace.
One strong reason for the arbitra-
ton of differences lies in the very
nature of the case. A party TO a seri-
Gus difficulty is not a disinterested
judge. In the words of Andrew Car
negie at the dedication Of the peace
building in Washington city a few
days ago. THE greatest crime that
either man or nation can commit is
to insist upon doing that which would
consign the judge upon the bench to
infamy If he ever dared to sit in 1udg-
ment upon a cause in which he was
an interested party"
Moreover the arbitration of differ
ences is more human and satisfactory.
How much blood of disinistered par
ties has been shed in war; Thomas
Carlyle has thus described the work
men OF Britain and France: Thirty
stand fronting thirty, each with gun
is his hand. Straightway the word
fire is given. and they blow the souls
out of one another; and in place OF
sixty brisk useful craftsmen, the world
has sixty dead carcases, which II must
TO- IpI