deny that the money expended in raising structures so utterly worthless, was profligately wasted ; and none will question that the people would have had good cause to rise in re- bellion against rulers who robbed them of the fruits of their labor, for purposes so vain and ridiculous. Yet the treasures lavished on such piles, would have been far less in amount, and expended in a manner far less in- jurious to the public morals and happiness, than the money squandered on the armies.
M. Bouvet, in a recent speech in the French Assembly, remarking on the appropriation of 583 milhons for the army and navy, about one-third of the whole estimate, well observed : " I cannot convey to you my sense of the irrational distribution of our resources, when I observe how comparatively unimportant we deem the elements of intelligence and public prosperity which is indicated by our budgets of instruction, commerce, and agriculture, amounting altogether to hardly thirty-six millions ! What should you think of the father of a family, who possessing an income of 15,000 francs, should expend 5,000 in arms and horses, while he only appropriated 360 francs to the instruction of his children and the improvement of his estate ? War, founded on force and restraint, is contrary to liberty. War, enabling the strong to triumph over the weak, is contrary to equality. War, shattering the law of love, which unites individuals and communities, is con- trary to fraternity. Thus the Republic, to be consistent with its own constitution, ought henceforth to endeavor to suppress the mihtary system, and to substitute for it an international jurisdiction. Such an object is so honest, so generous, so important to the public welfare, that France need not blush to make it the principal aim of its political existence."
The desire expressed by M. Bouvet, that international jurisdiction may be substituted for the military system, will find a cordial response in the breast of every true patriot, of every faithful disciple of the Prince of Peace. But what would be a practicable and safe and proper inter- national jurisdiction ? A " congress of nations," con- sisting of deputies