the civilization of the last hundred years? If the English colonists
had not resisted taxation without representation, what would be the
present status of America? If the artisan groups had not united and
fought economic exploitation, what would be their life to-day? If
Belgium had not resisted Germany, what would be the future of democracy
in Europe? Thus, now and after the War, the need is for all necessary
armament for self-respecting self-defense and not an atom to gratify
aggressive ambition. This does not mean that, once involved in war, the
military tactics of democracy should be merely defensive. As has often
and wisely been said, in war the best defense is a swift and hard
attack.

It is widely argued, however, since our aim is peace and a world-court
of justice to settle the disputes among the nations, making general
disarmament possible, should not one great nation, fortunately free from
the quarrels of Europe, occupying the major portion of a continent, its
shores washed by two great oceans, with peaceful friendship on the north
and weak anarchy on the south--should not such a nation take the lead,
disarm and set an example to mankind? It is a beautiful dream! Would
that those who really believe in non-resistance to evil would be
logical, and apply it to internal as well as external policy. What is a
police force? It is a body of men, trained, employed and paid to use
force in resisting evil. If you wish to try out non-resistance, why not
let some city apply it? Let Chicago do it: abolish its police force and
set the example to the rest of the benighted cities of the country.
What would happen? As long as there are criminals in all cities of the
land, how they would flock to that fat pasturage. What devastation of
property, destruction of life, injury to innocent women and children!
Until the best men of Chicago would get together, form a vigilance
committee, shoot some of the criminals, hang others, drive the rest out;