Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"Peace is a matter of education more largely than of legislation ; although the latter is necessary. [...]

"The writers of war histories keep up this race and sectional prejudice by writing each from his own party standpoint. They suppress many facts, and belittle the strength, courage and magnanimity of their opponents, and too often color and magnify the usually very insignificant cause of the war itself. [...]"

"But we do not stop by putting these highly colored and erroneous histories into our libraries for the edification and instruction of mature readers. They are too often condensed into school books for the instruction of the young, who imbibe the hatreds and prejudices of ourselves and of our ancestors. We have ten statues to the soldier where we have one to the philanthropist.

"A recital of their wars constitutes the largest portion of the history of Christian nations ; while the strides that they have made in commerce, in manufactures, and the arts, constitute the least.

"The love of home and country are undoubtedly meritorious attributes, and self-sacrifice for country has always been held in high esteem, but it is but another form of self-love, and it is quite possible to make this love not only excessive, but unjust. There is another and a higher love — the great love of humanity, of peace, of justice and equality — that should be taught to our youth as well. To die for one's country has been usually con- sidered the highest order of patriotism ; but to live for one's country is something higher."

-- Belva Ann Lockwood (b. 1830-10-24, d. 1917-05-19; National Equal Rights Party candidate for President of the US in 1884 and 1888) address to the National Council of Women, 1895-02-28 ( text, scan)