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so forth； are the qualities which in the past have made the profession
of arms great and glorious； it is these very qualities which will
be demanded and evoked for all future time in the great free
armies of Industry。
For with the cessation of Militarism as the leading principle
of national life must inevitably come the liberation of Industry else
the last state of our societies will indeed be worse than the first。
Truly there is nothing very exhilarating about Industry as it has
in modern times been conceived； and one does not altogether wonder
that all down the centuries the man with the sword has despised
the man with the hoe； since the latter has generally been little
better than a slave。
But when once Labour is freed or rather when once it frees itself from
the thraldom； of the old Feudal system； and finally from the fearful
burden of modern Capitalism when once it can lift its head and
see the great constructive vision of the new society which awaits
it then surely it will perceive that all the great qualities we
have named as exhibited in the past in the old destructive Warfare；
and now become the splendid heritage of the peoples of Europe；
will be necessary and will have a field for their exercise in the
beneficent constructive conquests of Nature and the building up
on Earth of that great City of the Sun which for so many ages has
been the dream and inspiration of Man。
And of the old mad Warfare it will then say This odious and inhuman
Thing must never be again！
In conclusion； and to look to the future：
I think we may see that the new conception of life will only come
through the peeling off in the various nations of the old husks
of the diplomatic； military； legal； and commercial classes； with
their antiquated； narrow…minded and profoundly。 irreligious and
inhuman standards those husks which have so long restricted and
strangulated the growing life within。
It will only come with the determination of the workers
（that is； of everybody） to produce things useful； profitable； and
beautiful； in free and rational co…operation things useful because
deliberately made for use； things profitable for all because not
made for the gain of the few； and things beautiful because of the
joy and gladness wrought into their very production。
Simultaneously with this peeling off； of the Old； and disclosure
of the New； will of necessity appear indeed it is taking shape
already the blossom of international solidarity and federation the
common cause of Humanity and of Labour liberated over the world。
Naturally such process will not mature all at once。 It may； bit
that the four Western nations； England； France； Italy and Belgium；
combining with some of the neutral States； will constitute the first
European Federationor at any rate the nucleus of a Federation
destined； as it expands to absorb within its borders Germany herself
（of course when she shall have taken on her true republican form）
and the other States in due succession。
Such Federation when firmly consolidated might； it is not unlikely；
still retain for a long period a military system； of some kind；
if only for its own protection against outlying and non European
dangers； but that military system would be small and secondary。
It right reasonably be no more dominant or meddlesome than the
military system of China has been during the last thousand years
in comparison with the massive imperturbability of the great
Chinese Empire itself。
Meanwhile let us remember how important it is for the future of
the world that each nation and people should be free to contribute
its special quality and character to the whole； nor be ridden…over
roughshod by the others；
That each should contribute； in Trade or otherwise； its special
gifts or facilities； and that the Internationalism which already
rules in labour affairs and in Commerce and Science and Fashion
and Finance and Philanthropy and Literature and Art and Music；
should at last be recognized in Politics。
Let us further remember how important it is that every man and woman
should insist on the rights of Personality to preserve sacred his
or her most intimate sense of selfness and duty the very；
essence of Freedom。
Though I do not； for instance； think that a refusal to fight
under any condition or circumstance can reasonably be maintained
to its logical conclusion； and though I certainly would not engage
myself to refuse to fight in any and every case。 Still； I do
honour and respect the genuine conscientious objectors （of whom
there are great numbers） very sincerely。
Some of them may； be narrow…minded and faddist （as conscience often is）；
but let us remember that the great things of History have been
initiated by such folk。
It was they who barred and broke the gladiatorial games at Rome；
it was they； who； steered the 〃Mayflower〃 across the Atlantic；
and started the great Republic of the United States；
And it is they； who are possibly sowing the seed a great Movement
which will spread all over Europe； and ultimately by opposing
compulsory military service inaugurate a world…era of Peace。
（For certainly； without Conscription the Continental Powers would
never have become involved in the present war）
Let us recognize the right and the duty of each man to ponder these
world…problems for himself： to play his part and to make his own
voice heard in the solution of them。
Let us recognize the falsity of Science divorced from the Heart；
and begin to…day to create a political； an economic； and a material
world which shall be the true and satisfying expression of the real
human soul；
Let us acknowledge even at the last that the War may have been
a； necessary evil to show us by contrast the way； of deliverance；
Let us render； homage to those who have given their lives in it；
let us vow that their great sacrifice shall not be in vain； but
shall consecrate for us a new purpose and a new ideal；
Let us believe that Love； not Hatred； is the power by which in the
end the World will be saved；
And let us pray that a Heroism equal to that； shown to…day in the
cause of Destruction may urge us in the future towards a great
and glorious Constructive era in social life and inspire us
with a new hope：
Out of purgatory to build a paradise； in which the ugliness；
vulgarity； sordidness and cruelty of the present scheme of things
will be repeated。
August 1916
End