War, the last argument of kings and people, war, in which they put forth their strength with pride, is not, however, the greatest exhibition of human power. A field of battle may excite terror or a feverish enthusiasm, pity or horror; but human strength applied to create is more imposing, than human strength employed in slaughter and destruction.
Michel Chevalier, Society, manners and politics in the United States; being a series of letters on North America (Boston: Weeks, Jordan and Company, 1839), p. 133 – 134.
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