The Tacoma Pastor Who Challenged the Drums of War
While the nation beat the drums of war against Chile in 1892, a Tacoma minister took to the pulpit to defend the dignity of peace, challenging the government's rush to protect the honor of sailors who had been frequenting brothels.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Tacoma, Jan. 24.—Rev. C. O. Brown, pastor of the First Congregational Church, this evening denounced the willingness of the United States to go to war with Chile. His theme was 'Peace or War; Which?' He asked if both Chile and the United States are on earth, why on earth have war? The burden of his arguments was that drunken American sailors visited low and disreputable districts of Valparaiso, and that it was extremely probable that men visiting such quarters would give occasion for riot. Is the death of a few under such circumstances sufficient cause why thousands should die to avenge it?
“If both Chile and the United States are on earth, why on earth have war?”
In 1892, Seattle-area newspapers were filled with jingoistic fervor regarding a potential conflict with Chile. This story highlights a rare moment of anti-war dissent from the Pacific Northwest, reminding us that even in the height of nationalism, community leaders often questioned the human cost and moral justification of foreign military intervention.
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