Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 1.djvu/48

 6 ORIGIN OF THE WAR OF lb53 CHAP, wealth to which human beinsrs unnumbered were I i • ■ ' trusting for life or welfare ; and again, it so shattered the framework of the European system, that thenceforth for many a year the safety of nations became more than ever dependent upon their armed strength. Upon the whole, there is ground for saying that the causes of a havoc which went to such proportions should be traced and remembered. Europe in For thirty-five years there had been peace 1850, and. , ^ „ _,, „, down to 2d between the creat rowers ot Europe. Ine out- Dec 1851 breaks of 1848 had been put down. The wars which they kindled had been kept within bounds, and had soon been brought to an end. Kings, emperors, and statesmen declared their love of standing peace. Rut always whilst they spoke, they went on levying men. Russia, Germany, and France were laden with standing armies. Personal This was one root of danger. There was another. Between a sovereign who governs for himself, and one who reigns through a council of statesmen, there are points of difference which make it more likely that war will result from the will of the one man than from the blended judgments of several chosen advisers. In these days the exigencies of an army are vast and devouring. Also, modern society, growing more and more vulnerable by reason of the very beauty and complexity of its arrangements, is made to tremble by the mere rumour of an appeal to arms ; and, upon the whole, the evils inflicted by war are so cruel, and the benpfit which a Power mny hope to derive armies. government.