The Advocate of Peace Volume 63-64 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ...the navy after a short term of service to take charge of great works in the manufacture of the implements of peace. A great deal of physical courage is imputed to the soldier. It is the common attribute of man. There are very few cowards, and they are rather to be pitied than blamed; it is a matter of temperament. The man who pretends to enjoy fighting for its own sake is either a mere brute, a fool, or a knave. True men risk their lives at the call of duty, and overcome their fears. Even physical cowards will fight when their will is more powerful than their dread. There is more true heroism displayed every year by the firemen in our cities than has been disclosed in the Spanish or the Boer war, or in the Philippine Islands. The policemen have a much higher standard of courage than the soldier. The soldier, flanked by his comrades, is often more afraid to run away than he is to advance; but the policeman, standing alone without support, faces danger during every hour of his service; often greater than that to which the soldier is exposed. Yet there is room for progress even in suppressing mobs who are committing violence. If I were mayor, and wanted to suppress a mob, I should call out the firemen and use cold water instead of bullets. Which of you would not run, as if the devil were after him, in the face of a steam fire engine? Which horses would you get out of the way of the quickest, the engine horses or those ridden by the Boston Lancers? Now, let me call your attention to one of the most singular developments of commerce towards the suppression of war, which has yet attracted very little notice: the manufacture of and commerce in the implements of carnage. The forces of science and invention may stop aggressive warfare, leading to permanent conditions..