The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-10-15
WAR HAS ITS BENEFITS
Impossible to ignore Them, Professor
Emerson Tells Daughters of 1912

Montpelier, Oct. 13.-Fully 800 peo-
pie attended the exercises in the
State House yesterday afternoon
when the Vermont Society. United
States Daughters of 1912, observed
the centennial of the great war meet
ing of October IL, 1912.
Mrs. c. II. Spooner of Mortified pre-
sided and the Rev. S. +. Bloomfield
of Bethany Congregational Church
offered prayer in the absence of DR..
John NJ. Thomas. Governor A. M.
Fletcher was unable TO be present be-
cause of illness. Mayor ], b. Estee
gave the address of welcome.
A happy incident was the presenta-
ton by Mrs. p. F. Blodgett of this
city. great granddaughter of Col. Luz
Their Dixon, to Colonel Luther Dixon
Chapter OF a handsome silk flag.
Dr. Guy Potter Benton of the Uni
versity of Vermont was represented
by Prof S. F. Emerson of the facul-
ty, who said in part:
In these days war is discredited.
The war spirit rests under stigma.
II requires no little courage to APP
pear in defense of military budgets
and naval appropriation. Yet it is
impossible 10 shut ones eyes to the
benefits of war
in the scheme of things, war is
| that extraordinary and superorganic
force which accelerates natural pro-
cesses and achieves in brief period
results which in the normal course Of
events might occupy centuries. War
is a great social precipitation. The
goal may not have been attained but
to have set il forth as the ultimate OBJ
sective is of greatest Importance for
conscious development
The War of the American Revolu-
ton had for its goal American indie
pendence. IL would have come doubt
less. perhaps peaceably but only af-
ter an indefinite period Oppression
and concession might have reproduc-
ed in the colonies the unwholesome
temper of Ireland and fettered nat
ional resources in their development
as those of that country have been
fettered
War fOreshortens chronological
perpectiye. 1t quickens the pace of
the marching races. IL releases la
tent social agencies of marvellous pos
sibilities. 1t is a social explosive.
dangerous but useful War is de-
structive. 1t appeals to force rather
than to reason. II eXtols the brute
in man. That must be admitted.
War is capable Of great destruction.
Dynamite may be used to blow up a
printing press or open copper mines.
So may art and literature be pervert-
ed to the vilest uses. The brute in
man may be trained to follow the
highest spiritual development Are
there not social developments which
ought to be destroyed and upon the
destruction of which progress de-
ponds?
Can the most representative so
cial reformer regret the destruction
( OF the Spanish Armada or the French
| feet at Trafalgar. War is no less
constructive. Ii stimulates the or
ganizing capacity of the race to an ex.
traordinary degree. If government
/ by discussion is the browning glory
( of the modern state. we must remem.
Der discussion began in the Camp and
| primitive applause was the crash of
spears. War has a noble mission of
governmental organization. II unifies
] the people, without which unity the
bonds of law are like ropes of sand.
The war of 1912 is regarded by
many as an occasion for apology. Ii
did not extend our possessions by a
foot and placed upon us a debt That
truthful appraisal is not Just. how
ever. War disclosed to ourselves our
distinctive capabilities and significant
limitations. II sobered AIS and explod.
ed visions of conquest. It brought to
recognition the necessity of a strong
central government the exponent of
an expanding social aspiration of a
people singularly fitted to advance so
/ ciety."