S. The evil of injustice.
C. It is even so. But is not war unjust?
S. Not when waged in a righteous cause.
C. What cause is righteous, which is unjust?
S. That which maintains rights. Rights are just, and measures, which will secure and perpetuate those rights, are just.
C. Is war a right?
S. War is not right, when rights are not sought by it.
C. How can rights be sought and obtained by wrongs?
S. War is not wrong, when rights are secured by it.
C. When rights are secured by wrongs, when war secures peace, when nature is concordant with discord, thy rights will disappear. No mind will then have any rights, because rights will be valueless. When war becomes right, and right becomes war, the rights of nature will be disregarded. Confusion will be right, and peace become wrong. Such is the character of thy rights, when judged by the harmonious law of nature. Thou sayest, war is right to secure rights. What right wilt thou secure by war?