The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-28
THE FALLACY OF BEATING
SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES

Every now and then some statesman, as we are wont to
call our public men, described by his critics as a crank and by
his apologists as one living in advance OF his age, usurps the
function of the clergy, takes his text from the fourth verse OF
the second chapter of Isaiah and breaches a mighty sermon.
Only a few years ago Mr.. Bryan made a bid for popularity
by getting hold Of a job lot Of antiquated and marked down sa-
bers, which he had nodded in the image OF a nehorse
turning plow, upon which was inscribed an extract from the
verse which reads: And He shall judge among the nations,
and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords
into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall
not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war
any more" and to. each governor of the several states he sent
one Of the miniature mementocs, which, perhaps, more nearly
served to remind most OF them Of their youthful avocat1on than
it did to recall to their minds the Biblical prophecy.
And as Mr.. Bryan sought to spread the gospel, so have
other men in all the ages before him, and a good many are en-
gagged in the same worthy enterprise at this time, without max
ing any pcrcephble Roadway, we may say, as there is no visible
change in human nature as it was originally constituted, We
may assume, therefore, that owing to the perverse and IRENE
diable character Of human nature, war, which had its origin in
the genesis of creation, is still with us and is likely to remain
over quite a period Of years to come,
This original opinion of ours has become a fixed conviction,
even in the face OF the literature sent out by the league to en-
force peace, and, we might add, in spite of the German theory
carried to the other extreme, but with the same ultimate object
in view, when the hands OF Belgian children were cut off so
they could never again compel Germany to enter a defensive
war. While the German idea is entirely reprehensible, we can
not deny that it was much more practical than the processes Of
moral suasion champoned by some idealistlc gentlemen OF our
own country.
1t is not that we would not like to see war banished for
ever IRON the earth that causes us to believe that there will
be other wars and perhaps greater wars. We are no apologist
for war. When we look about and see the suffering and an
gush it has caused, it has for us an altogether hideous mien,
We say this in spite of the derision to be expected from the
Washington army, all booted and spurred and fountain-penned
for action, that clamored for action with blood in its eye almost
from the day the armstce was signed.
A picture that most OF us have seen, entitled The lion and
the lamb lie down together" showed a contented lion reposing,
half asleep, on a grassy hillside. The answer to the natural
query was that the lamb was inside the lion. Any other con-
dition upon which the two would lie down together for any
length Of time is but a flight Of fancy,
Strong men absorb weaker men and big business consumes
little business. The character of a nation is the reflection of
the character OF the people making up the nation. Weak ma
tons yield to or they are overpowered by stronger nations I'm
less they are under the protection of nations stronger yet than
either. When there is a question OF superiority it can be deter
mined only by war.
The world has always been ruled by force. 1t compels the
child to obey its parents, and not infrequently makes for a whole
some observance of the law, for in the last analysis the law
rests upon force. The great respect we so frequently hear ex
pressed for the courts is but a recognition Of the ability of the
court to punish the offender, and behind the court stands the
state and the strength Of every man able to bear arms.
II all the navies, all the guns, all the aTplanes and all the
still be wars. If every modern appliance known to the science
of war were wiped out men would turn to the bow and arrow
ganize with rock piles for arsenals.
But we shall put away none of the proved instruments o.
war except to substitute for them something more effective. To
day no man can imagine an instrument OF war that is not al
ready in operation in some form or other. Whenever there II
a new conception there is a new invention.
No especial gift Of imagination is required to conceive of
gun carrying a projectle larger than any used in this war, O
a gas more deadly or an airplane that will fly farther than an
we have witnessed. Already we are hearing of the stabilize
which will permit a plane to be brought to a standstill in tn
air in the event Of engine trouble or the desire to drop severa
bombs in the same spot.
Besides, the time is not ~prophious for creating a prejudic
against wal. 1t might have been easier had we lost it. Blu
this country is somewhat proud of its strength. Returning sol
diers tell us that right and justice are sure to prevail if sur
ported by the largest and best equipped army and the best so
diers. The nation that has right on its side may rely upon tn
support of other nations, and, while war may not be avoided, W
may continue to expect the triumph Of justice, which, after al
is more to be preferred than peace with injustice.
II the custom OF beating swords into plowshares become
general among the nations it will be because some nlan will +
devised whereby the plowshare is a better implement 10 fol
with. "e'
The uneonfirmed rumor to the effect that the kaiser ha
been assassinated created but small surprise. Millions of h