New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-02
When a Nation Goes to War.


One of the perpetual arguments of the
pacifists against arms is that they are dan
gerous They tempt toward war. is the
plea. Let a nation 90 without weapons
and it will not be as likely to fight. This
is the theory Of "gun-toting" applied TO
nations; and for nations whose business
and habit is fighting, in a civilization where
wars Of brigandsge and conquest are a
normal method Of life, the theory has APP
plication.
Just how fallacious the argument is
when turned upon modern America we
are witnessing with our own eyes to-day.
In all the current questions Of peace or war
with Mexico who cares whether we are
prepared or not? As matter of fact, we
are sadly unready; we are lacking in prac-
tically every single item Of men and equip
ment which would make for a swift and
merciful war We have little enough to
brandish in the air; if the worst comes to
the worst we must mark time and wait
while our armies are organized and drilled,
trusting the while TO our regulars and un-
seasoned militia to hold the line until the
nation is ready to act. If war should come,
il would be anything but case Of hasty
gun-puling.
What we would lay stress on is the fact
that this whole question of fitness or unfit
ness plays no part whatever in the decision
for peace or war. 1t is much discussed
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Of our unpreparedness to fight Mexico is
realized by every one, excepting possibly
Mr.. Bryan. The nation is observing and
drawing its conclusions for application to
the national policy in November. But it
will go to war or remain at peace for rea-
sons wholly aside from its possession Of
the necessary weapons. II will fight, If II
does fight, simply because it believes 1t has
no other honorable course. II would fight
if it had not a soldier TO its name, simply
because to do otherwise would be to for
felt its self-respect as a nation. IL would
fight exactly as an unarmed householder
would fight the armed invaders of his
home-spurred by the instinct to protect
cisely these high motives for war which the
pacifst 50 often ignores, and ignoring con-
siders that such small matters as anna
ment and life and death will weigh in the
balance against national resolve.
Our militiamen have exhibited this ma
tional spirit at its bravest and best. They
know they are being rushed to meet an
emergency for which they are grievously
unprepared. Yet it does not occur to them
10 complain or make excuses. They stand
ready to do their best gladly, be the hard
ships and the issue what they may.
The historic instance of such patriotism
comes to mind. On June so, 1849, it was
that the brief but shining Roman Republic
of Mazzini and Garibaldi came to It's end.
The fight for freedom, for unity, was lost
for the time, and the enemies of Italy
swarmed upon her in triumph Refusing
10 surrender, Garibald announced that he
would leave Rome to fight on, and on the
LIST of July. before a crowd that packed
the great Piazza of ST. Peters. he made
his famous appeal. Said he:
Fortune, who betrays us to-day,
will smile on us tomorrow. am go
ing out from Rome. Let those who
wish TO continue the war against the
stranger come with me. | offer
neither pay. nor quarters, nor pro
visions; / offer hunger, thirst, forced
marches, battles and death. Let him
who loves his country in his heart and
not with his lips only follow me-
There were in all four thousand, the
remnants of the heroic defenders of Rome,
ready to share what Garibaldi offered.
They went forth 70 die or become harried
wanderers in land that could not protect
it's own. And they went gladly-as must be
in every nation that is fit to be a nation.