The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-03-10

ton out OF all proportion TO their
real influence. Because they are n
small group. and highly organized,
they are therefore mobile. and quick
to act Supported by huge endow-
ments. they have had the "sinews
OF war" for a campaign OF pacihsm
that has been really a remarkable
demonstration OF efficiency.
Only the editors OF the religious
press fully know the extent OF this
literary propaganda. Even the con
gressmen have scarcely been de
luged with a greater number Of
these prepaid kilograms of plea-and
protest. The secretariaI and cler-
ical stats in New York have
worked overtime In putting out this
canned sentiment
There has been no counter dem
onstration. None OF the denomina-
tions-which alone can speak ON
cislly for the churches--has taken
any action on the matter. apart
from early sentiments OF a gen.
eral nature, desiring peace. ut
tered before the German-American
issue became acute In the alb
sence OF any oficlal utterance 70
the contrary. the pacifsts have not
hesitated to declare that theirs IL
the position OF the churches.
How the Churches Stand.
over against all this frenEied &C
uvity and expression OF the pacifist
group has been the quiet assump-
ton OF many ministers, and other
strong men. that some things go
without saying. and that nobody Is
taking the pacifsts seriously.
why should we declare our
stesdfast loyalty TO the govern
menL OF our historic position that
there are some things worth fight
ing for. some causes more sacred
than life?" these men have rea.
soned. That should be taken for
granted. Che men OF the churches
are not making much noise, but In
sober. thoughtful, resolute convic-
ton that they are standing ready
for the old ideals for which Chris
tianity and civilization have battled
turnout the ages"
Probably the sentiment just quot
ed expresses the dominant thought
OF the churches. Nevertheless. in
the past few weeks there have been
quiet conferences 10 consider wheth-
er the pacihst propaganda should
not be disowned by representatives.
OF the churches. Not a few men
have seen in II real disloyalty
They have been an insidious dispar.
sgement OF America. Whether the
pacihsts realize the fact or not, they
are pulling on the same rope with
the kaiser Their activities have
halted and confused the action OF
the government.
A clear distinction is being drawn
between pacihsm and love Of peace.
The pacihst would stop the war
now. He would keep America out
Of IL. at all costs He regards war
as the worst Of all evils. And be
confuses absence OF armed strife
with real peace.
On the other hand, the lover OF
peace who Is not pacifist regards
peace. not as a cause. but as an ef.
feet OF certain great principles.
Only when righteousness and
peace have kissed each other" az
the Scriptural phrase has u. can
there be real tranquility in human
society. This ideal puts Justice and
righteousness and truth above
peace: for their sakes a nation may
&c 10 war. Indeed. failure to do so
might be = real betrayal Of the
cause OF ultimate and permanent
peace.
One who travels widely notes the
prevalence OF American flags along.
side the pulpits OF the churches and
in the Sunday schools. The flag
emblems are being worn increas.
ingly. Meetings OF a religious char.
acter now frequently observe the
usage OF closing with America .
The patriotic note resounds espe-
cially In Christian Endeavor and Y.
Nc G. A. meetings.
No small part will be played by
religious organizations II national
conditions ripen into grimmest
cyentuslities. Never before in the