In regard to the question of the total abolition of
war, we should like to ask Mr. Carnegie one question. When the South determined to break up the Union, did he or did he not side with those who said, "Erring sister, go in peace" P If, as we feel sure, he was determined to preserve the Union by force of arms, could it be preserved in no other way, and if, as we also feel sure, he would come to the same conclusion were there to be another attempt at secession, how can he think it possible that war can be banished for ever, and deny that sometimes it must be the last argument ? If the better part of the world—that is, the American and British peoples—were to adopt the peace-at-any-price doctrine, and were to put down their Armies and Navies, they would end by becoming the prey of those autocratic Powers who believe that liberty is a disease of the mob, and that nations which get the disease in its extreme form had better be controlled for their good by Emperors and autocrats. We, at any rate, want to keep our rifles ready and our powder dry till the world in general has secured more firmly than it has at present the principles of civil and religious liberty. Till it has, to act on the belief that war is pure evil is like taking opium as a way of avoiding a dangerous duty.
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