Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-09
A Plea for a Lasting Peace.

A Plea for a Lasting Peace.
On Dec. % we published an editorial
which has called out much comment at
home and in the press of other states.
We have been fattered and criticized,
but have read with interest the utter
snces of other papers, writers ana
speakers We have been amazed at
the number of those who seem to
yearn for an instant cessation OF hos
Titles, regardless of terms, and Will
ing to trust to luck for the future.
To our mind the dominant sentiment
of thinking men is for an adequate
peace, rather than for the mere call
ing in of the submarines and stack
ing of arms. But some men whom we
have been led to understand were
thinking men," cry loudly for Peace,
Peace." when there is no peace and
when a peace that could be smiled
upon by the Almighty is impossible
The people of all Christian nations
are ready for peace, but Satan-con-
trclled governments are not. Genera
lions were required to prepare, phys
ically and mentally, the people of Eur
ope for this war. The people had no
slaughter in their hearts but they were
taught that other peoples hungered for
their blood and that only supreme sac
rifice could save them from extermina-
ton. their offspring from slavery.
When this war ends, the people
should safeguard themselves from
glory-nad rulers.
Recently n protest against an In
adequate Peace" has been issued
signed by many of the most distin-
guished and representative Christian
leaders. They are from all the church
es. Many of these names are known
in almost every American household.
The list is too long for our space but
the full text of the protest follows:
When war dreDches Europe in blood,
it is natural that we Americans should
shHdder at the sight. To call upon the
combatants to stop the carnage is an
impulse so strong that it even tends to
displace judgment and distort values.
We are apt to forget, at any rate for
the time being, that there are condi-
tons under which the mere stopping
Of warfare may bring curse instead
of blessing. We need to be reminded
that peace is the triumph of righteous
ness and not the mere sheathing of the
sword. To clamor for an ending of the
present war without insuring the vim
dication of truth, justice and honor is
rot to seek peace, but to SOW disaster.
Because it is SO easy to lose sight of
these essential principles, we, the UNI
derSigned, view with some concern the
organized and deliberate effort now be-
ing made so to stampede Christian
sentiment as to create a public opinion
blindly favorable to stopping hostilities
without adequate consideration of the
issues which the war involves.
We are Christians and, as such, deem
that truth and righteousness are to be
maintained inviolate, even at the sac
riffce of physical life. We are citizens
Of the United States and, as such, are
conscious of the solemn responsibilities
of our Christian citizenship. We, ac-
cordingly, venture to direct the atten-
ton of our fellow Christians to a few
of the vital issues which are making
their mute appeal for final decision.
The raVaSe of Belgium and the en-
slavement of her people; was it right
or wrong?
The massacre of a million Armen-
ians; was it permissible precaution
or an objectionable crime?
The desolation of Serbia and Poland;
was this a regrettable necessity or
frightful injustice?
The destruction of life through the
sinking of the Lusitania and of other
merchant ships; was this an ordinary
incident of warfare, or was it deliber-
ate and premeditated murder?
The starvation of Jews and Syrians
in the Holy Land; is this an accident
OF economics or violation of the laws
OF God and man?
The attempt to array Moslems
against Christians in a holy war;;
was 1T a laudable act Of imperial
craftsmanship, or was it the treachery
OF Christian monarch?
The intimidation of small nations
and the violation of international
agreements: are these things excus-
able under provocation, or damnable
under all circumstances?
In the presence of these pending and
as yet unsettled issues, we feel impelled
to warn our brethren against those
who cry peace, peace" when there is
no peace. The just God, who withheld
not His own Son from the cross could
not look with favor upon a people who
put their fear of pain and death. their
dread of suffering and loss, their con-
Germ FOR comfort and ease, above the
holy claims of righteousness and ms
tice and freedom and mercy and truth
Much as we mourn the bloodshed in
Europe, we lament even more that su-
plneness of spirit, that indifference to
spiritual values, which would let mere
physical safety take precedence of low.
atty to truth and duty. The memory
OF all the saints and martyrs cries out
against such backsliding of mankind
SAD IS our lot if we have forgotten how
to die for holy cause.
We solmenly declare to you orr con-
viction that the question of all ones.
tons for our immediate consideration
is this: Shall the ancient Christian in.
heritance Of loyalty to great and divine
ideals be replaced by considera tons of
mere expediency?
Governor Milliken In his inaupur,,
sounded a warning to the I,epislo tyro