Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1917-04-18
OUR ATTITUDE
TOWARD THE WAR
Continued from Page y

we eXerted our utmost to arrest
the break. We pleaded, we reason
ed, we expostulated, we threaten
ed; all to no avail. A nation
whose existence, it is asserted, is
threatened, claims to have the
right to ignore all law and order,
and run amuck. To combat that
most wicked and dangerous prin-
ciple we have stepped to the front
to measure arms with the outlaw
nation Of the world. We enter
into the contest with the purest of
motives, with no lust of conquest,
no desire to acquire new territory,
no wish to secure war indemnity.
On the contrary we risk our own
possessions; we expect to pour
out treasures of mony and blood.
Nor have we any hatred in our
hearts for the nation that has
dragged us into war. We believe
that were the people of that ma
ton allowed to speak hteir own
mind, they would sue for peace at
once: for they are heart-sick of
the war. We unsheathe the sword
for the sake of humanity as
against an aristocracy which a
regenerated civilization cannot
any longer endure. We throw all
the weight of our influence against
the menace to the liberty of all
liberty-loving people. The die is
cast. We cannot turn back. The
war must be prosecuted until the
foe of liberty bites the dust.
"Let us first Of all, invoke the
assistance of the God of Battles,
the very same God to whom our
Washington appealed when the
clouds were the darkest and no
light shone through to direct his
faith. Let the world know that as
christian nation we enter into
this contest in firm defiance upon
the assistance of Almighty God,
with whom nothing is impossible.
1t is remarkable how scripture
abounds in instances that fit the
present occasion. Indeed we
would have hesitated to present
the subject from the pulpit, were
it not for these scriptural ex-
amples.
But we cannot expect God to
aid us if we sit with folded arms"
DR.. Rowan continued. "A remark
attributed to Cromwell is applic-
able to us, said he, Soldiers, trust
in God, but keep your powder dry
We cannot afford to treat this as
light affair. Nay, we are engage
ed in war with nation that for 40
years has been preparing for such
a contest, and began the war when
the whole world was off guard.
For nearly three years we have
stood off at a distance watching
the fierce struggle, again and
again almost drawn into the fight.
Now we must send into the field
a great army"
The speaker paused to consider
the two courses open to us, citing
results from history of the policies
of both the volunteer system and
the military concsription.
But what would be the advan-
tage of gathering an army of q
10000 men," DR.. Rowan continu-
ed, land then stopping there, con-
sidering our task finished? It
would be crime to send it forth
without proper training; that
would be simply playing into the
hands of the enemy. Nor could
we under such circumstances ex-
pect God to give victory to our
arms. He no longer works with
out the use OF secondary causes.
Hence since the miraculous is out
of the question, let US force the
fact of the absolute necessity for
the most thorough preparation of
our forces. We peace-loving peo-
pie must study the art of war as
we have never done before
trench warfare, heavy artillery
service, aviation and the like. We
must call to our assistance the
best brains of the nation to devise
means to offset the subtle plans of
an enemy that has subordinated
everything to military ascendancy.
We must study strategy so as to
be able to meet the enemy on their
own ground. Let us seek out our
Gideons to work out plans by
which a comparatively small force
Of nnr MAN NOV mt bpct Of III n