Peace Becomes Greatness

The Free Press says editorially:

Nothing so becomes greatness as does peace. This was the sentiment of some English poet, flourishing when the empire was not trying to expand by extinguishing the heathen, or writing under license of special dispensation from the colonial secretary.

It is recalled by the rapid spread of peace in the Republican ranks of Michigan. The factional leaders in Wayne have shaken fists over the bloody chasm, and the power of a noble example is immediately manifest.

Washtenaw swings into line. There was a political bailiwick full of trouble and all kinds of it. lts environments mark the highest attainments of our civilization and advancement. It is the seat of one of the world's greatest institutions of learning. It is rich in the bounties and beauties of nature. On every hand there is intelligence, refinement and culture.

In the commonly accepted philosophy of existence, all these blessings would have meant gratitude, peace and good will. But it was not so. Satan entered here just as if it had been Kentucky. The latter has its Goebel, its Brown, its Taylor, its Chinn and its Watterson. Even the ghosts of the departed are made campaign issues and the persuasive power of the Winchester is openly invoked in the event of certain contingencies.

Washtenaw had its Judson, Moran, Doane, Canfield, Stockwell and Allmendinger. They did not recall the shades for political purposes or counsel appeal to the repeating rifle, but they flew at each other furiously through the courts and threatened a war of financial extermination.

Now all is peace. Not a man acknowledges himself in the wrong, but when it came to the crucial test of a show-down, these warring patriots thought more of party harmony than of personal revenge. They would rather triumph at the polls than in the forensic lists where costs follow and the right of appeal seems eternal. They have chosen wisely, and Wayne has a right to grow chesty as a high-toned exemplar.