Joel Henry Hildebrand - Anyone who thinks we can continue to have world wars but make them nice pol

Anyone who thinks we can continue to have world wars but make them nice polite affairs by outlawing this weapon or that should meditate upon the outlawing of the cross-bow by Papal authority. Setting up the machinery for international law and order must surely precede disarmament. The Wild West did not abandon its shooting irons till after sheriffs and courts were established.

- Joel Henry Hildebrand

source: "Army's Atomic Bid Viewed in Making". Speech, American Library Association Conference (3 Jul 1947), New York Times, Jule 4, 1947.

topic: Nice, War, Thinking, Wild West, International