The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-01-20

Charles James Fox came nearer tc
perceiving the real significance of the
struggle than any Of his contempora-
ries. The result was the end of fued-
alism, arbitrary monarchial power and
the establishment of varying degrees
of liberal democracy over the entire
theatre of continental Europe.
1t is more difficult to see the cause
of the present conflict. Less than two
years ago war seemed as remote as at
any time in the history of the world
There was no apparent adequate cause
social, political, or industrial fol-
such a. war as is now raging The sub
jects of the now belligerent nations
were highly civilized and Christian
| people, far advanced in the arts and
sciences, in commerce, manufacture
and industry. The governments were
wise, and to a large extent democrat
ic. There was no tyranny Of govern
ment, no widespread poverty, no great
degree of social unrest,-none of the
things which at different stages of the
worlds history have brought on the
calamities of war. And yet, in this
age Of profound world peace, of adj
vancedt civilization, there burst upon
the world a war the horrors of which
surpass those of the ages of barbar-
ism, and the appalling losses and
wastes of which stagger humanity.
AS I have said, it is difficult when
clouded by the passions, prejudices
and ambitions of the present, to point
unfailingly to the causes, or to pre-
| dict the effects of such a war. > One
thing is sure: The education of the
people, the advancement of civiliza-
ton, the spread of Christianity and
the perfection of government are not
sure representatives. of those conflicts
between nations and peoples which
from the dawn Of history have devas-
tated civilized lands. The advocates
of universal peace may despair, but
the student Of history who believes in
the development Of the race knows
that it is but the history of mankind.
The cause must be looked for in other
fields than those of defects and OPP
pressions Of government, general pow
erty Or social unrest In my judg-
ment the cause is partly due to mater
ial development, national or racial
antipathies and national egotisnl. Dur
ing the last fifty years, and notably
during the last twenty-five years,
there has been great world expan-
| sion in industry and wealth. It has
not been confined to our country, al
though here it has been most marked
The increase of commerce, the expan-
sion of credits, the growth of manu-
facture, increase of consumption and
multiplication of luxuries have en-
gendered rivalries between nations,
which had their origin in deep-seated
individual pride and aspiration. This
feeling has been fostered and deepened
by educational processes and by en-
enlargement of national pride and
racial antipathy. The welfare of the
subjects of all nations has been for
gotten. Education has been to incul-
cate the view that happiness, material
prosperity and the preservation Of the
highest ideals of civilization, depended
upon governmental supremacy. When
these ideals took possession of the peo-
pie, they were given their highest ex-
preston in the development of mill
tarism, and conflict Of arms sooner
or later was inevitable.
| cannot but believe that out of this
great world conflict, it's misery, its
horror and it's crimes will come civil
ization better adapted to the needs of
the whole people; will come an under
standing of the true relation of the
individual to the state, and more
tolerant, Christian spirit. These re-
suits we can but dimly see, as they
are only accomplished through the
slow progress Of nations. One thing
we have learned: That as much as
we may desire it to be otherwise, the
age of war. has not passed. The mil
lennilm has not come. Segur, the
great military authority Of the French
Revolutionary period, once said that
universal peace is the dream Of the
wise; war the history Of mankind.
1t is unnecessary to say that the
people do not wish war; not even
those possessed Of the most restless
ambition could wish to bring upon this
country the horrors Of modern war.
We do not want war, and ought not to
have it. We should, as far as posi-
BILE, inculcate into the minds Of the
people of the world the principles of
right and justice, which go far to pre-
vent those conflicts, but we may not
be able to control the mighty currents
-0f L =.