On the record
In it the noblest virtues of mankind are developed; courage and the abnegation of self, faithfulness to duty, and the spirit of sacrifice: the soldier gives his life.
Said by
Thomas Erskine Holland
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Holland highlights the virtues that can emerge from the experience of war.
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More from Thomas Erskine Holland
But I go further, and think the softening of manners can alone bring about this result, which cannot be attained by a codification of the law of war.
Every law presupposes an authority to superintend and direct its execution, and international conventions are supported by no such authority.
It is impossible for the soldier who endures sufferings, hardships, fatigues, who meets danger, to take only 'in proportion to the resources of the country.' He must take whatever is needful for his existence.
I am, however, confident that the organisation is too intelligent not to see that it would lose nothing if the articles in which it is interested were made an integral part of a Convention constituting a League of Nations; the League being…
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