In our Country... one class of men makes war and leaves another

In the great expanse of human history, the struggles of war have often revealed not only the bravery and sacrifice of those who fight but the harsh realities of class, power, and responsibility. William Tecumseh Sherman, the esteemed Union general of the American Civil War, saw this truth clearly when he declared, "In our country... one class of men makes war and leaves another to fight it out." These words, spoken in the heat of a nation’s conflict, reveal a painful irony: that war, in its most devastating form, is often a battle fought by the powerless, while the elite and privileged classes remain distanced from the carnage they have instigated. Sherman’s insight cuts through the grand narratives of victory and honor, exposing the inequity and sacrifice at the heart of war.

Sherman’s statement reflects a profound injustice—that the decisions of the powerful to wage war often leave the common people to bear its heaviest burdens. While the leaders and wealthy classes may send others to fight, it is the poor and working classes who endure the physical and emotional tolls of battle. These men are the ones who march to war, who carry the weight of cannonballs and swords, and who lay down their lives for causes they may never fully understand. The disconnect between those who make war and those who fight it has been a constant throughout history, from the feudal ages to the World Wars of the 20th century.

Consider the American Civil War, which was fought between the Union and the Confederacy. Sherman himself, a general on the side of the Union, saw firsthand the sacrifice of ordinary soldiers—men who were drafted, or who volunteered in the name of freedom, but who were sent to fight in a war whose political decisions were made by men of privilege. The wealthiest men in both the Union and Confederacy were often removed from the horrors of battle, either serving as officers or staying behind the lines, while the common soldiers bore the brunt of the conflict. It was the working-class men who fought in the trenches, who were sent to invade new territories, and who often returned home broken—both physically and spiritually—by the war. In Sherman’s mind, the disparity between those who fought and those who profited from war was glaring and unjust.

This theme of class disparity in warfare extends beyond the American Civil War. In World War I, the British upper classes were far less likely to serve in the trenches than the common soldier, who faced the ravages of trench warfare, chemical weapons, and death. The generals, often from privileged backgrounds, made strategic decisions from the comfort of their offices, while the soldiers who fought in the fields were left to die in droves. The Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in human history, saw the death of over 1 million soldiers, most of whom were from the working class. The generals’ decisions, made far from the frontlines, were often based on military tradition or political considerations, with little regard for the suffering of the men who would bear the consequences.

The lesson in Sherman’s words is not just an indictment of military leaders or the privileged classes but a warning to future generations about the dangers of war when it is divorced from the consequences felt by those who fight. The rich and powerful may initiate wars, but it is the poor who often suffer the most in the name of national interests. Sherman’s words challenge us to confront the moral cost of war—to recognize that war should never be seen as a game of politics, a mere exercise in strategy, or a way to extend power, but a sacred duty that requires the full commitment of those who wage it, and a genuine understanding of the suffering it brings.

In our own lives, these words should stir us to question the motivations behind conflict—whether it be in our personal struggles, societal battles, or national politics. The fight for justice, for freedom, or for power is never one to be undertaken lightly. Just as Sherman’s quote calls out the disparity between those who start wars and those who fight them, it reminds us to be mindful of the sacrifices that are often demanded of others in the name of causes we may not fully understand. We must work toward creating a world where conflict—whether personal or global—is not seen as a means to achieve power, but as a struggle for human dignity, peace, and mutual understanding.

Thus, let us heed Sherman’s warning: that war, like all great struggles, should never be waged recklessly or without consideration for the lives it will cost. Whether we are leaders or followers, we must always ask ourselves: Who will bear the burden? What are the true costs of this conflict? Let us strive for peace, for understanding, and for a world where the sacrifices of the few are not exploited for the benefit of the many, but where all are asked to contribute to the well-being of humanity as a whole. Let us never forget that the true cost of war lies not only in its battles, but in the lives it takes—the lives of those who fight, and the lives of those who are left behind.