Quaker, Joseph Sturge. "Thou art right," was the instant reply; "and, if no one will go with thee, I will." They started accordingly, along with Mr. Hindley, the member for Ashton, and their faith was rewarded. Lord Clarendon earnestly pleaded their cause with the plenipotentiaries, who unanimously declared in favor of recourse being had to the good offices of some friendly power before any appeal should be made to the arbitrament of the sword.
This formal sanction given to the principle of international arbitration has not been wholly inoperative. In the settlement of the Alabama claims, England and America set a memorable example of moderation and good sense to the entire family of nations,—an example, alas! which has since then been but too seldom imitated. For why? Something more must be done to restrain the illimitable horrors of war than to provide a feeble substitute for multitudinous homicide after the causes have come to a head. The causes must themselves be eliminated. Could arbitration ever restrain a Napoleonic coup d'état, or influence for a moment such dynastic exigencies and ambitions as brought France and Germany into their last tenible death-grapple? The French and German peoples had no quarrel with each other. The quarrel was entirely one between their rulers, supported by the governing oligarchy of the two countries. In the same way the English people have had no cause of discontent with the poor Afghans or Zulus.
War is wholly the work—the infamous work—of "sovereigns and statesmen." Sovereigns must have wars. However peaceful their professions, they have a direct and overwhelming interest in the maintenance of
