ense is built
up, there is always danger that it may be used internally, against the
people, unjustly. That, indeed, has been one of the curses of Europe
for a thousand years. It is a grave danger, but recognizing it is partly
forestalling it; moreover, we would better face that danger than one far
worse. So with the other menace: you may get drunk and shoot when you
ought not. Nations get drunk: they get drunk with pride, arrogance,
aggressive ambition, revenge, even with panic terror, and so shoot when
they should not. This, also, is a grave danger; but here, as well,
recognizing it is part way forestalling it, and this danger, too, we
would better face than one far more terrible. Moreover, it is armament
for the gratification of aggressive ambition, and under the control of
the arbitrary authority of a despotic individual or group, that tends to
initiate war, not armament solely to defend the liberties of a people.

Thus, under the conditions cited, it is well to be armed and prepared.
If a wolf is at large, if a mad dog is loose, if a madman is abroad with
an ax, it is the part of wisdom to have an adequate weapon and be
prepared to use it. If the Athenians had not resisted the hordes of
Asia, what would have been the history of Europe? If the French had not
resisted tyranny and injustice in the Revolution, what would have been
the civilization of the last hundred years? If the English colonists
had not resisted taxation without representation, what would be the
present status of America? If the artisan groups had not united and
fought economic exploitation, what would be their life to-day? If
Belgium had not resisted Germany, what would be the future of democracy
in Europe? Thus, now and after the War, the need is for all necessary
armament for self-respecting self-defense and not an atom to gratify
aggressive ambition. This does not mean that, once involved in war, the
military tactics of democracy should be merely defensive. As has often
and wisely been said, in war the best defense is a swift and hard
attack.

It is widely argued, however, since our aim is peace and a world-court
of justice to settle the disputes among the nations, making general
disarmament possible, should not one great nation, fortunately free from
the quarrels of Europe, occupying the major portion of a continent, its
shores washed by two great oceans, with peaceful friendship on the north
and weak anarchy on the south--should n