New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-01
TRADING HONOR FOR PEACE
A Reply to President Hibben's Mo-
honk Argument.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The tribune.
Sir: Princeton's president, speaking late
ly at the Mohonk conference, is reported to
have said Eve dare not trade honor for
peace the first part Of his discourse hsv-
ing been an Indictment to the people to arm
against war" lest honorless peace should be-
come "the veriest torment of living hell"
SO much is continually made by speeious scare
mongers Of this most evasive and elusive
word "honor" that some exact definition Of
the term is imperative. Mischief meal
culable has been wrought IN its name.
What Is it? That greatest master Of Eng
fish, William Shakespeare, has given US
synonyme in the second part Of Henry W.;
what is that honor? Air"
"Who hath il? He that died o. Wednes'
day"
THE Times" Of London, at the present
day, with its roll Of honor" seemingly cor
roborates Shakespeare. Those who died
are honor's possessors Their names I'LL the
roll Midway between THE Times" and
Shakespeare comes Alexander Pope with his
opinion:
"Act we'll thy part; there all the honor
lies"
As presumably DR.. Hibben, Of Princeton.
does not want to see the American nation
on the death roll Of honor, We may suppose
he accepts Pope's view.
This, amplifed, suggests that the honor
Of nation, as the honor OF an individual, is
entirely in its own keeping and results from
it's own actions. | may be personally injured
or killed outright, but | cannot be dishon'
ored unless | dishonor myself. Dishonor IS
from within, not from without Honor con-
ssts in following the dictates Of righteous
ness. justice and equity. Any nation that
persistently acts in accordance with these
can never be dishonored-no, not even
though it be wiped off the earth Any ns'
ton that does not follow these Is dshoncr'
able in spite Of any GLORY" its big bsttalions
write in blood.
II there be any living being so lacking IN
logic as 20 link together war and honor, such
an one must be utterly obliyious 70 tne
deeds done in Europe to-day. Perhdy ana
brutality run mad, doing everything hideoas
and devilish that human ingenuity can d.
wise, laughing and splitting at all religion or
even at common decency have these !"
do with honor?
Public opinion in this favored land has
frowned down duelling as vindlcation Of
personal honor; it is now learning that war
is no more a vindcation of national honor
than the duel was of personal honor
AS to the armament against war that -
the identical course that now has involved
Europe in its cataclysm Of bestiality ana
blood. Every nation was straining it's re-
sources 10 the utmost 20 insure that us
preparations against war" should leave "
more powerful than its neighbors. suea
rivalry induced the very catastrophe It was
designed 10 avert. What was prepared Tor
came, as il usually does.
Not only the American nation but ths
world at large is demanding more enllgn''
ened policy. That policy must mean the en-
thronement of the idea Of public light as me
governing idea in world politics. This spel'
the utter reputation Of mlitarism, with i''
dscredited and dscreditable motto: III you
want peace prepare for war" IL bespeSs,
free and full national development for al
races, with equal national rights, regardless
OF size or wealth and it means, lastly, SOM
such sort OF world accord as is extant to-day
in the universal postal union and kindrsa
institutions, which have already proved inc
possibility OF a cooperative anu N'"
globe partnership, beneficial to all peoples
alike 49,,
Surely this loved land OF ours IS Dig
enough. rich enough and wise enough 20 take
the initiative in this, the inauguration o.
the only policy worthy of the age IN waitA
we live, worthy of our starry spangled osh
ner and worthy Of the God we love
II YOU want peace prepare for peace.
EDWARD BERWICK
Acting President American School fess'
League, California branch.
Pacific Grove, Cal, May 81. 1915. -