Mark Twain, “The Mysterious Stranger” (1910). Twain had it right almost a hundred years ago. Sort of depressing, but encouraging as well. A must read!
“The loud little handful — as usual — will shout for the war. The pulpit will — warily and cautiously — object… at first. The great, big, dull bulk of the nation will rub its sleepy eyes and try to make out why there should be a war, and will say, earnestly and indignantly, “It is unjust and dishonorable, and there is no necessity for it.”
Then the handful will shout louder. …”