LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MR. BRIGHT.
[TO THIC EDITOR OF TUE " iSPECTATOR,1 SI11,—The enclosed explains itself. I wrote to Mr. Bright on Saturday last, discussing certain points in connection with the Egyptian war, and drawing his attention to the letter which appeared in last week's Spectator, signed "C. S.," together with your editorial remarks thereon. Mr. Bright, in a postscript, says, "You may make any use you please of this letter."—I am, Sir, &o.,Tuomas Rirrox, Wesleyan Minister.
96 Bouncy Road, Warrington, September 26th.
[Cory.] " Oassencary, Creetount, N.B., September 25th, 1882. DEAR S1R,—The Spectator and other supporters of this war answer me, by saying that I oppose the war because I condemn all war. The same thing was said during the Crimean war.
I have not opposed any war on the ground that all war is unlawful and immoral. I have never expressed such an opinion. I have dis- cussed these questions of war—Chinese, Crimean, Afghan, Zulu, Egyptian—on grounds common to and admitted by all thoughtful men, and have condemned them, with mguments which, I believe, have never been answered.
I will not discuss the abstract question. I shall be content when we reach the point at which all Christian mon will condemn war, when it is unnecessary, unjust, and leading to no useful or good re- sult. We are far from that point now, but we make some way
is war, I may say this, that it has no better justification than
towards it.itth.
other wars which have gone before it [5] ; and that doubtless, when the blood is shed, and the cost paid, and the results seen and weighed, we shall be generally of that opinion. Perhaps, the Bondholders, and those who have made money by it, and those who have got promotion, and titles, and pensions, will defend it, but thoughtful and Christian men will condemn it.—I am, Sic., [# The whole point lies there. We maintain that the war prevented the expulsion of Europe from Asia by massacre.— ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
