The Bee-Hive. — 1872-09-21 (London, England)

THE PEOPLE'S PAPER.  ESTABLIS IIDI I 1861.  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1872.  pursuiteof peace, not in the insane and cruel desolations of war; and a common understanding on co arrived at, the swords of emperors and kings, if not sheathed, would speedily be turned upon themselves—thus constituting them an expiatory sacrifice for past sin, and a promise of peace to the world for all time to come.  It has often been urged that international arbitration now exists, inasmuch as before any war is entered on, diplomacy is active to avert it. It may be replied, however, that diplomacy is as often active to provoke war, that the agents of emperors and kings only take into account the interests, passions, and ambitions of their masters, whilst the tribunal of nations, acting on behalf of peoples, and bringing to bear, on all discussions, the considerations of their collective interests, backed up by the 'masses interested in every way in the preservation of peace, would soon cause kingly ambitions to kick the beam. It is undeniable that national murder is falling into disfavour, that thoughts of amity and peace grow daily stronger in men's minds, and it is a melancholy fact that the losses of war are pressing painfully, almost destructively, on the industrial energies of nations. People are beginning to see that the Millions wasted in destructive wars, the taxes paid annually as interest on debts incurred in these wars, which, together with the charges for maintaining our standing army, amount, in this country alone, to more titan one thousand millions of pounds sterling every twenty years, could he better used in making roads, building bridges, opening mines, draining marshes, exploring distant regions, cultivating commercial enterprise, spreading knowledge, and extending the blessings of civilization to every corner of the globe. Let the working men of England lead the way in exalting this great and salutary principle of arbitration. In their trades disputes, in all differences of interest, even of anger, but above all, in regard to the destructive and sanguinary wars of monarchs, lot arbitration be called for and insisted On, and time, cooperating with wisdom, humanity, and justtee, will give a triumphant and happy issue to their efforts. We Englishmen are here in our inviolable island, girt in by the sea, free from fear of outside attack. Let us, therefore, who are above all suspicion of fear, begin to preach this great gospel of peace, of goodwill amongst men, not as dreamers, not as utopian fanatics, but as practical men of common sense, inert who have discovered and applied the mighty, the inexhaustible resources of industry; and who know that by peaceably pursuing our various callings we can make every life happy, and every home comfort. able and secure.  R. MARSDEN LATHAM, President of tho Labour Representation League.  P.S.—I have no time for needless controversies. Mr. W. BaucE, of Ileckmondvdeke, whose letter appeared in last week's BEEILLYLI misunderstands me. I do net ask for the disarmament of England, or that the country should be without adequate and scientific means of defence. I ask for the promulgation of an idea against armaments which, in its diffusion, may operate beneficially everywhere,  " A shaft of light aerosa the land, And like a lane of tams athwart, tho sta."