Note 5 — Chapter V · CAPTAIN KING'S JOURNAL OF THE TRANSACTIONS ON RETURNING TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.1 (continued 2)

Footnote 5:

(return)

Would it not be generally advantageous for mankind to consider, when they are about to engage, or are engaged, in hostilities against each other, that it is highly probable, nay in most cases certain, that they shall one day come to a good understanding, and regret that their altercation had been so mutually destructive? Would not a notion of this kind, far enough indeed from being any effect or symptom of weakness, contribute essentially to what is surely always a good thing, the moderation of men's passions; and have, therefore, the beneficial tendency, at really the least expence and suffering, to accomplish the only legitimate and avowed end of war, a safe and honourable peace? But no termination of a struggle is entitled to be called either the one or the other, which, resulting merely from the experience of common exhaustion and mutual inability, leaves the parties to grumble over the relics of their animosity, and to brood on their misfortunes, till new means and spirits be produced to resume the conflict. There is much wisdom in the language which a deceased statesman used, when he spoke of "making peace in the spirit of peace," as the only remedy for the political disorders of the world. But this disposition, it seems morally certain, cannot exist, unless in union with the anticipation of the comforts and vastly superior benefits which such a consummation can afford,—E.