Sounds of War

Sound of War:

War can be called a contest between nations, nations who have resorted to extensive acts of violence, leaving in their wake, horrific consequences upon the people, and land. Are victories won, yes! Is there ever any real winner, No!

War is carried on for many reasons; revenge, insults, redressing wrongs, acquisition of land, plunder, superiority, and religion. The objectives are accomplished by the capture, or slaughter of troops; the total destruction of the apposing armies land, air and sea power; concluding with the take over of the conquered land; the enslavement of its people, the established authority abolished, and individual rights stripping away.

Wars are authorized by the leaders of a nation; alliances being formed with those who have a common idea, and goal.

One great obstacle to the extinction of war is the way in which the hearts of men are carried off from wars real atrocities and horrors; accomplished by the deceitful recording of it achievements and battlefield victories.

There are forces at work which paint over its appalling outcome; presenting a false illusion, a palling of colors; removing from pen to book, the shocking barbarities of its battlefield victories, and finalities. These are deceitful forces that dislodge the truth, moving it to the back-ground of its absurd original purpose and design, and in this does war live. Than will the history books of the victors speak of the superb actions of its troops, and brilliance of its leaders; and then will the people applaud!

I see it in poetry, which lends the magic of its syllables to a narrative of slaughter and blood; it transporting its many admirers by words pleasing to the ear, added to displays of dancing images, and figures; garnished with the nodding plumes of military dignity; and a palliation of verse coloring over a scene of legalized slaughter. And who is it that has been betrayed, who is man truly warring against?  

The rhythmic sounds of triumph can be heard in the victor’s music, reciting the progress of the battle. Forbidden are all utterances from those who oppose, as their every single breath and sigh is brought to silence; that is except for those spirit-stirring strains of the gods of war!  The articulations and enunciations of the innocent cry out in vain in an attempt to interrupt the death-tones of the sickening dispute; the pleas of the wounded and the dying. But soon enough will their voices fall away from the ear, fading into a lifeless silence.

And who is left to cry for them?  What a strange and half-sighted creature man has become! Were it not so, war would never have been seen in any other aspect than that of unmingled hatefulness. So what remains but Christian sentiments upon earth! And yet one day will the hand of the Almighty come to arrest what remains of man’s popular prevailing consent for war.

Only then will an imperious sense of duty to the gospel of Christ bring the check of severe principle upon all the subordinate tastes and faculties of man’s nature, and never ending taste for blood.

Only then will the glories of war be reduced to their right appraisal, as the vigilant watchmen rattle sounds, and a charitable appetite for righteousness is directed toward the gospel.  Every spell, every treachery removed; no delusions whatsoever remains.

From its simple but sublime enterprises comes the instruction and wisdom for good. Only then will the reign of truth and quietness be ushered into the world: wars cruelties ceasing; the criminal carnage of human flesh; bodies heaped, one upon another to never be seen again. Done away with is the unrelenting murder of the innocent; only then will war be stripped of its many bewildering fascinations.

Happy will it be for all men, if the prevalence of Christian principles ultimately extinguish the spirit of war; and when the ambitions of the proud to be esteemed yield to the ambition and desire for love, man will then live in harmony, one with another.

Phillip LaSpino  www.seekfirstwisdom.com