The Reform League has published a Hymn to Peace. It
is in F, prose, and addressed to the "peoples of Europe," calling on them to refuse to join in " the wicked game played by Emperors and Kings with the lives and wealth of the people." The peoples are to put down war by moral force, with which Englishmen have just developed their liberties—and destroyed Hyde Park railings ;— and everybody is to sing, " Glory to God in the Highest, on earth peace and good-will towards men." All that is very nice, and if expressed in more rhythmical and less bombastic language might have made a very good hymn ; but unfortunately the bloodiest war of our time was waged in a country without a standing army, an Emperor, or a King, by the will of the peoples to whom Mr. Beaks appeals. War is a great evil, but not always the greatest, and it certainly will not be stopped by ranting appeals to the Democracy. If the householders do not fight twice where the ten-pounders fought once we greatly misunderstand popular sentiment. Had Germany and France been polled last month, they would have been at each other's throats before this.
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