The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-08-26

there is a strong and ever-increasing
party opposed to all war. In Paris
lately n procession OF men marched
through the streets shouting Down
with war" The sentiment is growing
very rapidly in this country. Our gov
eminent today would not think of en-
gaging in war except in self-defense.
Were the country insulted half a doz-
en- years ago as she has been this year
by Mexico, war would be inevitable.
Had the same sentiment existed six
teen years ago there would have been
no Spanish American war. Our wise
president is showing a passion for
peace and tremendous aptitude for
maintaining it. In this he has the
support of all parties and classes. We
should be thankful that we have man
of high ideals and wise craftsmanship
in the chair during this crisis. He has
manifested wisdom in calling on the
citizenship of the country to observe
perfect neutrality and refrain from
taking sides in the lamentable con-
| llicts in Europe. The people at war
are our brothers, but the victims of
an iniqutous system that must be
| destroyed.
1t is confidently expected that this
war will be the last among the Chris
tian nations. Premier Okuma of Jap
an said few days ago: To bring
| about great peace great war is
| sometimes unavoidable" He added
| that perhaps general disturbance in
Europe would resolve itself into the
| final war of the world, leading to per-
manent and undisturbed peace. The
potentates of Europe probably felt the
rising tide among the people of aver
| sion TO war, and that the day was near
when the immense national ornaments
! must be reduced or totally destroyed.
! Before the tide arose to an uncontrol-
| liable height they were anxious to show
| the power Of their fighting machines
and IL successful they would entrench
| themselves securely in their positions
for years to come. They did not re-
quire much OF an excuse to start the
war, but before it ended some of them
| may lose their crowns. Napoleon lost
| his after the Franco Prussian war
and when this war is over there may
be some crowns without rulers to wear
them. The spoils OF the war however,
should not be and we confidently be-
lieve Will not be the acquisition of new
territory by the victors. nor the de-
struction OF the vanquished, but dis
armament for victors and vanquished
alike. All national ornaments must
be destroyed except such as may be
necessary to maintain peace within
the borders of each separate nation.
All international questions must be
settled by an international tribunal of
justice. The sword must be sheathed
forever as an instrument of Justice. 1t
had its day and that day must soon
end From the day of Cain until now
it has been held aloft as minister
of justice. It's justice has been no JUS
tice. Its judgments have been not of
right. but of might, not of truth, but
of skill, not OF law, but of force. It's
work IL nearly done and il will go
down To eternal night. But not until
autocracy and despotsm are dethron-
ed forever. Then there will be no
more mastership of the continents nor
mistresship OF the sea, neither for Eu-
rope, Asia or America. When demo-
crazy destroys despots IL will have no
use for masters In this final settling
up America will have her part to play
and we hope that she will play it well.
In the meantime IL is ours to pray
for the men on the field of battle, for
sorrowing parents, for widows and
orphans deprived Of their shelter and
support. Pray the Lord of Hosts who
controls the armies of men that lie
will bring the war speedily to n close
and oyerrule all for His, glory and the
ultimate good of the human race.