Page:Tolstoy - Pamphlets.djvu/81

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28
PATRIOTISM AND GOVERNMENT

do not want to go off and fight some one. We are peaceable and we fear war; we hate it.

"We would like to obey the Golden Rule.

"War is the sure result of the existence of armed men. That country which maintains a large standing army will sooner or later have a war on hand. The man who prides himself on fisticuffs is going some day to meet a man who considers himself the better man, and they will fight. Germany and France have no issue save a desire to see which is the better man. They have fought many times—and they will fight again. Not that the people want to fight, but the Superior Class fan fright into fury, and make men think they must fight to protect their homes.

"So the people who wish to follow the teachings of Christ are not allowed to do so, but are taxed, outraged, deceived by governments.

"Christ taught himiility, meekness, the forgiveness of one's enemies, and that to kill was wrong. The Bible teaches men not to swear, but the Superior Class swear us on the Bible in which they do not believe.

"The question is, How are we to relieve ourselves of these cormorants who toil not, but who are clothed in broadcloth and blue, with brass buttons and many costly accoutrements; who feed upon our substance, and for whom we delve and die?