The German
race, with their peculiar ideals, ought not to try to govern the French
race. It is an expensive experiment. It is an impossible experiment. The
plan is doomed to failure in advance. And when the day of payment comes
it is quite certain that the questions at issue will not have been
settled by regiments of soldiers. They must finally be settled by an
appeal to some court of arbitration that will do justice and love mercy;
that will insist upon the rights of the smaller States, and make it
impossible for the great ones of the earth to trespass upon the property
and the liberties of brave little peoples.
Imperialism Confuses Men's Judgments.
Out of the smoke of battle another lesson is written for all who have
eyes to read. In view of the mistakes made by men who have absolute
power it is now certain that exemption from criticism is a bad thing for
any man, and that endless adoration destroys the ruler's power to think
in straight lines. There never lived a man who was not injured by
perpetual compliments. Strong men are willing to pay cash for criticism.
Flattery will conceal the weakness, and they know that pitiless
criticism will expose the danger and perhaps save them.
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