636 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



But tlie strongest proof of the absence of the genuine national 

 unity which should characterize a righteous war is, perhaps, the in- 

 difference noticed among t]ie working people. This has been com- 

 mented on in several newspapers, and an explanation has been sought 

 in the fact that a large part of our foreign population has not as 

 yet sufficiently imbibed the spirit of our institutions to make them 

 good Americans. The real explanation, however, is the fact that 

 through actual experience they are learning that war can only result 

 in making their struggle for existence still harder, partly by the 

 paralyzing of many industries and partly by enhancing their cost 

 of living. Can a lofty and self-sacrificing patriotism be expected 

 from those who, in their struggles with aggressive caj)ital intrenched 

 behind governmental protection, have invariably suffered the fate 

 of the vanquished? And they who have learned that it is less against 

 foreign aggressions that eternal vigilance is required than against 

 the insidious growth of domestic interferences with personal liberty — 

 should they blame them so very much? 



It being granted that this war was unavoidable, that humanitarian 

 principles no less than self-interest compelled this country to make 

 this departure from a time-honored policy, this allusion to its un- 

 favorable internal conditions is made only for the sake of pointing 

 out the real danger of the hour. As already remarked, this war pre- 

 sents a crisis — we stand at a crossway, and it is now that we must 

 choose whether our destination is to be that higher civilization pre- 

 dicted for us by Mr. Spencer, or whether we shall turn back toward 

 a purely military regime. That there is grave danger of choosing the 

 latter is seen in the changed sentiments throughout the country. 

 Many well-meaning people who a short time ago deprecated the idea 

 of war altogether, and who rejected with scorn and indignation the 

 insinuation or open charges by European powers that our real object 

 was one of conquest, have been, through the first success in the 

 East, carried away by the alluring spectacle of the United States 

 assuming the position of the greatest naval power of the earth, and 

 as entering upon a new career as " a fulfillment of its appointed 

 mission." It was truly said at the time by a New York journal: 

 " The American spirit is stirred and its imagination inflamed by the 

 opportunities now offered this country to extend the sphere of its 

 power and influence." But what does all this mean? It means that, 

 when the war is over and victory ours, then the people, drunk with 

 military success, will be ready to sell their birthright for a mess of 

 pottage. In their delirium they will have no adequate idea of the 

 cost of maintaining a standing army and a navy second to none. So 

 far from being frightened by the strong centralized government 

 made necessary by these changed conditions, they will hail with loud 



