32 MODERN WARS AND PERMANENT PEACE. But what is alone relevant here though the influence of an era of constitutional Government and liberal Constitntional . _ 'i <;..vmiment policy is likely to be. for a time, ambiguous, yet
- 111*1 ultimate- . J ."
ly tend to its weight must at last be felt far more against 'eace. "War than for it, and some day may prove fatal to its continued existence. All the forces of civilization tend to draw together the populations of different countries, to make them eager for each other's welfare and happiness, sympathetic for each other's sufferings, disposed to co-operate in each oth- er's schemes. The result must be that it will become increas- ingly difficult for interested persons to crush the pacific spirit, which will increasingly assert itself throughout each population, and to fan to the necessary heat the flame of warlike enthusi- asm. The proposition to fight will seem more and more unnat- ural, irrational, and impious, and the only Government which can maintain its ground will be the one which has a character
