Page:The future of Africa.djvu/72

66 The internal moral obligations of nations are plain and evident: cultivation of religion, the maintenance of justice, the progress of education, the upholding of law and order, and national growth. All these arise from the paternal relation of government: a doctrine as old as it is true, and recognized by heathen nations, as well as by the Hebrew writers.

But now we are led to ask, "Are there not external moral duties resting upon nations?" Moral law applies to them in relation to their citizens and subjects; but does it not also apply to them with respect to bodies outside of their own rule and power? Do not nations owe duty and obligation to other nations? Such, Ave cannot doubt, is the common consent of mankind and the teaching of all national history; though dimmed and obscured in olden times by cruel barbarism and savage wars. We catch a glimpse of this in the leagues, compacts, and alliances of Pagan nations. The treaties they formed for the promotion of commerce, the mutual obligation for aid and succor in times of danger, bespeak a sense of national obligation to benefit and bless. They showed the presence of these principles, in the very article of war, by beautiful displays of equity, of honor, and of clemency. When the thirty tyrants at Athens drove out the very flower of that city, and forbade the other cities of Greece to show them hospitality or to give them succor; the people of Thebes humanely received them, and, by laAv, threatened those of their own citizens Avho might refuse to assist these unprotected refugees. "War has its rights as well as