New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-10-30

In many places We take the lie
of a man who kills another man.
But. even if we do not praise the
nation which destroys another, as
once we did praise, yet millions
of good Christian people condone
it and uphold by their lives laid
down the nation which does 1t.
We have the spectacle in Europe
today of millions of Christian
people supporting certain nations
in a deliberate act OF destruction
for which they would have I'M
prisoned any individual for life.
"In most civilized lands even
the duel is under condemnation.
But almost all Christians in the
world believe that this is just the
way nations ought to settle their
disputes and see nothing wrong
in nations flying at each others
Threats on the slightest provoca-
ton. When a difference arises
between two men, We all think
of Cancellation, law and courts;
when a difference arises between
two nations the first thought OF
these same Christians is war.
When a man makes certain claims
against his neighbor and his
neighbor makes counter claims
we think of arbitration;
when two nations cannot agree
upon a question our first thought
is that they should seek justice
through trying to kill each other.
"We praise the man who for
gives. The books on which We
base our religion have forgive
ness running through them like
a thread of gold. He whom we
call Master practised it even in
death. But whoever conceived
that a nation might forbear and
forgive? You smile at the
thought. You would be indig-
nant at the act. MANY Of you /
were indignant because Mr.. Will
son and Mr.. Bryan even suggest
ed forbearance and investigation
when Germany sank thea 1a'e'
tania. Your only cry was: Let
US wallop Germany. Let us re-
ourselves for the lives of
citizens. Our honor
has been insulted. This, cry was
in religious newspapers in Chris
tion pulpits, to say nothing of
The mouths of mobs and dem
agogues. But you can have no
lasting peace until yon can get
nations which will act like Chris
tians gentlemen when affronted.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of
modern history has Just been
us in this regard when the
President of the United States.
bv acting toward GERMANY with
reason. goodwill and forbear-
ance, has won the greatest vic
tory Of the present war. It is a
much greater victory to convert
q man than to kill him.
1--WE are forever sinoino hymns
about the meek and lowly and
these are the qualities which the
church has demanded in it's saints.
but we call the same qualities in
a nation weak and pusillanimous.
We call that nation great which
is mighty, overwhelming. imper-
ial. irresistible in it's brute
strength, which, by force of /,
arms, can conquer, subjugate,
force other peoples to serve it.
1--WE call that man greatest
who serves his fellowmen and
those who are greatest Of all in
our Christianity are those who
have practically forgotten self
in the service of the world, but
whoever heard or nation exist
ing first Of all for he service of
the world The thing we call
meanest in men, selfishness, we
exalt in nations. The highest
duties Of a really great man are
toward others; the highest duties
of a nation are toward itself.
Look how from many high Chris
ton sources we are hear;cg this,
The first duty of nation is the
protection Of it's citizens. The
nation must brook no insult
THE nation must uphold Its
honor. What would you think
of a man who thought his chief
duty in life was self-protection
or avenging his honor? Would
we call him CREATE And yet no.
tice how when President Wilson,
rising above this low and univer-
sal conception Of national great
ness, and carrying it up into that
level where we judge great men,