A Forgotten Maxim 267 



Preparation for war is the surest guaranty for 

 peace. Arbitration is an excellent thing, but ulti- 

 mately those who wish to see this country at peace 

 with foreign nations will be wise if they place re- 

 liance upon a first-class fleet of first-class battleships 

 rather than on any arbitration treaty which the wit 

 of man can devise. Nelson said that the British fleet 

 was the best negotiator in Europe, and there was 

 much truth in the saying. Moreover, while we are 

 sincere and earnest in our advocacy of peace, we 

 must not forget that an ignoble peace is worse than 

 any war. We should engrave in our legislative halls 

 those splendid lines of Lowell : 



"Come, Peace ! not like a mourner bowed 

 For honor lost and dear ones wasted, 

 But proud, to meet a people proud, 

 With eyes that tell of triumph tasted!" 



Peace is a goddess only when she comes with 

 sword girt on thigh. The ship of state can be 

 steered safely only when it is always possible to 

 bring her against any foe with "her leashed thun- 

 ders gathering for the leap." A really great people, 

 proud and high-spirited, would face all the disasters 

 of war rather than purchase that base prosperity 

 which is bought at the price of national honor. All 

 the great masterful races have been fighting races, 

 and the minute that a race loses the hard fighting 

 virtues, then, no matter what else it may retain, no 

 matter how skilled in commerce and finance, in 

 science or art, it has lost its proud right to stand 

 as the equal of the best. Cowardice in a race, as in 



