The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-09-04
Discourse on War.

A<AC(OA@ - 49, " 49,
Rev. I. H. Harrison, pastor OF the
Second Presbyterian Church in Nash
vile, last Sunday preached vigorous
discourse on war. His declaration thai
there are no families Of royal blood and
that the rulers OF European nations are
the cause of the war is one that will re-
ceiye the hearty affirmation OF millions
OF people everywhere, even IN those
countries at war. Germany is one Of
the aggressors in the war, and yet there
are millions Of Germans who would IN
ordinary times resent the divine right
Of kings. Germany has probably a
larger percentage Of socialists than any
other country, but socialists are not
altogether democratic in their ideas.
The Rev. Harrison struck keynote
here, but when be decries the work OF
arbitration and at the same time recon-
inends the destruction Of kings there is
discrepancy in his logic. II men are
not worthy the Office OF arbiters they
should not be commissioned with the
execution OF kings. That should also
for the same reason be left with the
Supreme Being. But we do believe
that men are to be trusted with the
Office OF arbitration, and, believing that,
we hold that the men at arms 10 the
strife OF nations for national aggran-
dizement and supremacy should seek
the elimination OF royal houses.
We believe as thoroughly in the prin-
ciples OF democracy as in anything I'M
der the sun--in the Jeffersonian democ-
racy that men ire created equal, and
that position does not alter the quality
OF blood. But there is line OF de-
marcation and distinction, and that is
that the honest. law abiding citizen is
entitled to more respect than the Grim
inal. And this carries us back to the
fact that rulers who rush to the battle-
field with their grievances and murder
and starve their subjects TO this end are
not entitled to be distinguished as'peo-
pie Of royalty, but should rank with
the criminal classes, who are not even
treated with respect
We believe that the day OF universal
democracy should come and is coming,
and II it takes such drastic measures as
the destruction OF royal lines soldiers
should be charged with the duty and
fight to that end. We should especially
recommend this to soldiers in such
countries as those where class distinc-
tim is so strong and where slavery prac-
sically exists. II these rulers are fight
ing for more territory and power then
she lords OF troops should forget this
uamnable false patriotism which never
did them kind turn and destroy those
people who live and thrive and fatten
by taking their means and every God
given privilege they have. We denounce
any government which demands Of its
citizens or subjects more than Just
excise Tor its maintenance. Our own
government is tainted with extravaganza
and should be reproved by the populace.
Men in Office resort too easily to the
substance extracted through taxation,
whether direct or indirect, and in time
class distinction appears.
We trust that il this war does con-
tinue that the principle Of democracy
will ultimately take the place Of every
original design Of the war, that the
kings and emperors will be overthrow
and their houses go with them to eter-
nal and utter oblivion.
God save the people.