Page:Frank David Ely -Why defend the nation? Sound Americanism... (1924).pdf/45

Rh know most about it. The wish to forget the past is shared also by all alike. What is dangerous in those tendencies is that thinking shall be confused and dreams cherished which not only cannot be realized, but will mislead, delude, and defeat efforts to establish peace. The revulsion against war will have no good effect unless it is something clearer than mere revulsion.”

“Now is the time to state things as they are. War can never be abolished by objecting to it, by requesting the abolition, or by resolutions of any body or associates of bodies whatever. We might as well pass resolutions to abolish fire and flood and call on nations to join in doing away with them. War, like fire and floods, is not a cause, but an effect. Its likelihood can only be lessened when its causes are lessened. Adequate preparation against those causes is not itself a cause, but a prevention; not a provocation, but a restraint.”

“The causes of war are far back in the dispositions and desires of human nature. It must be restrained there if your services and sacrifices are never again to be required.”

“So, also, peace is not a cause, but an effect. It exists where it is produced. It does not exist in quiescence; it will not be produced merely by being declared.***It is the effect of righteousness and can never continue where righteousness is disregarded or violated.”

So it is clear that we can only have peace if we earn it by righteous living; and even then we may be denied it because of our interests being bound up with those of other nations, less righteous, who may decide on war. Any belief that the conditions of peace, as against those called war, are a free choice regardless of all else and based merely on the wishes of the majority at any moment, is unwarranted and mistaken.

Peace is a treasure, a sparkling jewel which comes to us only as a deserved reward. Take heed, then, what political issues we espouse, what economic courses we pursue, and that our Christian purposes be clear and well defined. Our faith being well founded; our dealings with the world and with each other highly honorable; our devotion to duty a sacred ideal; generous to the poor and needy; opposed to greed and selfishness, and filled with a love for truth and justice, our consciences will be clear and we shall be worthy of that peace we so desire. But should the enemy come upon us in the darkness of night, let us