PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

llIilitary E;tahlishmellis. 487
general utility which results from such observance.
l"he binding force of these rules is the greatel~, because
the regard that is paid to them must be universal
or v.one. The breach of thp rule can only be punished
bv the subversion of the rule itself: on :~hich
acct:JUnr, the whole mischief that ensues from the loss
of tho.;e salutary restrictions which such rules prescribe,
is justly chargeable upon the first aggresscr.
To this consideration may be referred the -duty of
refraining in war from poi on and from assassination.
If the law of nature simply be consulted, it may be
difficult to di:,tinguish betwcell tllese and other met~~
ods of destruction, which are practised \vithout scruple
by nations at war. If it be la \\1ful to kill an ene A
IDy at all 41 it seems lawful to do so by one 1110de of
death as well as by another; by a d05e of poison, as
by the point of a sword; by the hand of an as~~ssin,
as by the attack of an army: for if it be said that
one species of assault leaves to the enemy the power
of defending himself against it, and that the other
does not; It may be answered~ that \ve po.ssess at least
the same right to cut off an enemy's defence, that we
haye to seek his destruction. In this manner might
the question be debated, if there- existed no ruie or
law of war upon the subject. But when we observe
that snall practices are at present excluded by the
usage and opinions of civilized nations; (hat the first
recourse to them would be followed by instant retal.
Iiation; that the mutual license which such attempts
must introduce, would fill both sides with the misery
of continual dread and su!~picion, without adding to
the strerlgth or success of either; that when the example
came to be more generally imitated, which it
soon would be, after the ~entiment that condemns it
had been once broken in upon, it would greatly aggra\'atc
the hm-rors and calamities of war, yet procure
no superiority [0 any of the nations engaged in it :
when we view these effects, we join in the public
reprobation of such fatal expedients, as of the admission
amongst mallkind of new and enornlOl1S evils
without necessity or advantage.
000
The Jaw of nature,