The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-12-31
A PEACE CALL

The Christian world has but recent
ly celebrated the birth of the Prince of
Peace
With Europe ablaze with war and
the neutral nations agitated by fear,
cupidity and jingoism which are ever
prominent factors in the precipitation
of that calamity, it behooves the de-
voices of peace to draw together,
stand firm" and get busy" The
time is opportune and the need is
urgent.
Approval is being sought through
the newspapers for the increase of
our army and navy and for a greater
degree of preparedness for war. Bar
oness Won Suttner who toured this
country in the interests of peace some
two years since said: The military
spirit of Europe is fostered by the war
trust that owns every publication on
the continent. And it was her aim
that a publication in the German Ian
guage that would tell the people the
truth about the wal trust might be
established.
This country knows what trust dom.
ination means and it knows that many
publications are subservient to it. The
forces that would profit by war in
this country are in aim and method
not unlike those of Europe and only
organization, vigilence and activity
car successfully oppose them. If we
believe in the message of Peace and
Good Will" which Is echoing over the
land today, let us show our faith by
our works and join in a peace move,
ment that shall minimize the chances
of war in this country if not prevent
it altogether.
Some weeks ago Allen Benson put
forth a plan for accomplishing this pur-
pose which is eminently sane and
practical. He proposed an amend
ment to the national constitution TAX
ing from congress the power to de-
clare offensive war and giving that
power to all of the people over eigh-
teen years of age through a referen-
DUN vote. Records of the votes to be
preserved and in the event of the
referendum resulting in a declaration
of war those voting for it should be
the first to mobolize in the order of
their registration.
In conformity with this amendment
statutes should be passed compelling
public advocates of war to file notice
of such advocacy with the war de-
partment that in the event of war
they may be placed in the forefront
of battle"
And that an administration may not
through Dollar Diplomacy" jingoism
or a patriotism so sensitive that it
finds a wound to national honor in
every untoward event, plunge the ma
ton into unconsidered war, all di-
plomatic negotiations should speedily
be made public.
1t Is well known that if such had
been the established policy of our gov
eminent the Spanish war would not
now be a matter of history.
The Vera Cruz incident might easily
have . precipitated war if President
Wilson had been a devotee of the
big Stick" instead of a votary of
peace.
A woman's movement for construc-
tive peace has already been launched
in this country with organizations in
Washington, Chicago, New York, Phil
adelphia and Boston,-which is we'll.
But a movement for applied Christian
ity which this is. should not be limit
ed by sex or sect. Organizations Of
all who stand for progress, for right
eousness, for education and religion,
should spring up in every town and
village a ready response to the big
mass convention to be held in Wash
ington early in January in the inter
ests Of peace. 1t might be well to en-
dorse Representative McDonald's reso-
luton as a temporary measure, but the
people should be the court of last re-
sort in the declaration of war. This
could be secured only by an amend
ment to the constitution. All such
questions should be fully discussed in
popular meetings.
There is no place better for a be-
ginning of these meetings in South
Dakota than Brookings and none more
competent to marguerite the move
ment than the ministers of the city
and college. A peace wave could be
started here that would soon reach the
state limits. stifen the backs of our
representatives in congress, and go far
toward making the Christmas message
something more than a mockery In q
war cursed world. MAY these things
No Al3~o Dali Y~-