A Forgotten Maxim 269 



prepared the way for such peace as this, have in- 

 flicted a wrong on humanity greater than could be 

 inflicted by the most reckless and war-loving despot. 

 Better a thousand times err on the side of over- 

 readiness to fight, than to err on the side of tame 

 submission to injury, or cold-blooded indifference 

 to the misery of the oppressed. 



Popular sentiment is just when it selects as popu- 

 lar heroes the men who have led in the struggle 

 against malice domestic or foreign levy. No tri- 

 umph of peace is quite so great as the supreme 

 triumphs of war. The courage of the soldier, the 

 courage of the statesman who has to meet storms 

 which can be quelled only by soldierly qualities 

 this stands higher than any quality called out 

 merely in time of peace. It is by no means neces- 

 sary that we should have war to develop soldier- 

 ly attributes and soldierly qualities; but if the 

 peace we enjoy is of such a kind that it causes 

 their loss, then it is far too dearly purchased, no 

 matter what may be its attendant benefits. It 

 may be that some time in the dim future of the race 

 the need for war will vanish; but that time is yet 

 ages distant. As yet no nation can hold its place in 

 the world, or can do any work really worth doing, 

 unless it stands ready to guard its rights with an 

 armed hand. That orderly liberty which is both 

 the foundation and the capstone of our civilization 

 can be gained and kept only by men who are willing 

 to fight for an ideal; who hold high the love of 

 honor, love of faith, love of flag, and love of coun- 



