This page has been validated.

Above the Battle

Though fully aware that the late events have irritated the feeling of nationality to the utmost, yet we believe that patriotism should not prevent any one from doing justice to the character of one's enemy; that faith in the virtues of one's own nation need not be coupled with the idea that all vices are inherent in the opposing nation; that confidence in the justice of one's own cause should not make one forget that the other side cherishes that conviction with the same energy.

Besides, no one should forget that the question: "What nations will be enemies?" depends on political relations, which vary according to unexpected circumstances. To-day's enemy may be to-morrow's friend.

The tone, in which of late not only the papers to which we referred higher up, but also the newspaper-press of the warring nations has written about the enemy threatens to arouse and to perpetuate the bitterest hatred.

To the evils directly resulting from the war, will be added the regrettable consequence that co-operation between the belligerent nations in art, science, and all other labours of peace will be delayed for some time, nay, even made quite impossible. Yet the time will come after this war, when the nations will have to resume

132