THE GERMAN PEOPLE AND THE WAR. [To see Ernst or
ram ”SrecrAros."1 Sin,—In view of the various opinions held as to the reepon. sibility of the German people for the ruthless policy of their Government, the following quotation from Principal George Adam Smith's Exposition of Isaiah is interesting :—
" To Isaiah a nation's politics are not arbitrary ; they are not dependent on the will of Kings or the management of parties. They are the natural outcome of the nation's character. What the people are, that will their politics be. If you wish to reform the politics, you must first regenerate the people ; and it is no use to inveigh against a senseless policy like this Egyptian one, unless you go farther and expose the national temper which has made it possible. A people's own morals have greater influence on their destinies than their despots or legislators. Statesmen are what the State makes them. No Government will attempt a policy for which the nation behind it has not a conscience; and for the greater number of errors committed by their rulers, the blame must be laid on the people's own want of character or intelligence."
—I am, Sir, Sm., WILLIAM Wniwan. The Hansa, Ascog, Isle of Bute.
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