The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-04 00:00:00

THE PEACE CONGRESS,

CONFERENCE OF THE FRIENDS OF PEACE
AT THE HALL OF COMMERCE, ON TUES-
DAY MORNING LAST, THE 31sT ULT.

A numerous and highly respectable assemblage of the
friends to the great and growing cause of universal peace,
met at the Hall of Commerce on the above morning, to
consider various practical points and future operations
necessarily arising out of the advancing character of
their movement. The meeting had been called by cir-
culz.r, and in obedience to the call gentlemen assembled
on the occasion from different and distant parts of the
kingdom; and a collection of more earnest, business-like
men is very rarely seen. They evidently had the great
cause at heart, and their whole bearing evinced a sober
determination of purpose, that nothing short of confi-
dence i❑ ultimate success could produce.
JOSEPH STURGE, Esq., of Birmingham, having been
voted to the chair, proceeded to open the business, by
explaining its nature and objects, and described the
character of the interview between the deputation and
Lord John Russell. _

Messrs. Richard, Scoble, Fry, and Stokes having been
appointed secretaries to the Conference, and a large
number of letters of adhesion to the cause from eminent
men, at home and abroad, having been read or reported,
among whom were the names of Dr. Dick, of Dundee,
Dr. Mortimer, of London, Dr. John P. Smith, of Ho-
merton, Mr. Simpson, of Trinity College, Cambridge,
&c. &c.—the address to the Governments of Europe
and America, adopted at the Congress at Brussels, was
also read. The time and place of holding another Con-
gress on the continent of Europe were then discussed at
length, and with great intelligence, at the close of which
it was unanimously resolved that another Congress
should be held at the most suitable time and place; and
a further discussion having ensued, it was resolved with
equal unanimity, that preference should be given
to Paris as the place, and to August, 1849, as the time.
The necessity of spreading more extensively on the Con-
tinent the proceedings at the recent Congress at Brus-
sels was then discussed and it was resolved that a full
and authentic account of that Congress should be pub-
lished in the French language. The importance of in-
troducing the question of arbitration to the House of
Commons was then considered, and after close examina-
tion, it was referred to the committee to obtain the ser-
vices of some influential Member of the House for this
purpose, and it was further resolved that suitable mea-
sures should be taken to stimulate the constituencies
throughout the country to influence their represoatatives
to support the question whenever it should come before
the llouse. A committee, consisting of thirty-two gen-
tlemen, residing in London and its vicinity, was then
appointed ti carry into effect the resolutions and recom-
mendations of the Conference, with power to add to their
number. It was also resolved unanimously that a spc eial
fund of not less than 5,0001. should be raised for the ac-
complishment of these various objects, and that the
friends of p,,ace throughout the country should be re-
er,mmended to contribute liberally to this special effort,
The committee
.having been duly authorised and in-
structed to adopt suitable measures for carrying into ef-
fect the resolutions of the Conference, the meeting closed
with a very general conviction that the earnestness
which had been displayed was a presage of more ex-
tended success to the cause of peace throughout the
world. _ _ _ . .

At a conference of the Friends of Peace, held at the
Hall of Commerce, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1848, Joseph
Sturge, Esq , in the chair, the following gentlemen were
present:—
Georga Alexander, Ipswich; William Ashby, Houns-
low; Thomas Ashby, Sraines; John Baillie, Ipswich;
Richard Barrett, Croydon ; J. D. Bassett, Leighton
Buzzard ; Joseph Barrett, London ; James Balfour,
Maida Hill; Richard Barrett, jun., Mark-lane ; Isaac
Bass, Brighton; Thos. Beggs, Walthan3stow; Rev. W.ll.
Black; Mill-yard. London; Robert Bond, London; Chris-
:opher Bowly, Cirencester; Samuel Bo wly, Gloucester; M.
Alexander Brockway, London; George Bradshaw, Man-
chester; John Bunt, Liverpool-street; Rev. Jabez Burns,
Paddington ; Samuel Burlingham, Worcester ; Elihu
Burritt, United States of America ; S imuel Catten,
Plaistow; John Cassell, London; Joseph Cash, Coven-
try; Thomas Catchpool, Colchester; L. A. Chamerou-
zow, Camberwell; W. M. Christy, Kingston; Robert
Charlton, Bristol ; Henry Clapp,
.jun., Massachusetts,
United States; Joseph Clark, jun., Southampton; Joseph
Cooper, London ; E. F. Collins, Hull; Rev. Ebenezer
Davies, Berbice; William Dent, Marr, near Doncaster;
G. C. Drew, Christchurch; George Edmet', Maidstone;
J. Passmore Ed xards, Islington; James M. D. Ellis,
London; Wm. Ewirt, E•q., M.P., London; Wm. Faw-
cett, Sleaford; Francis Fox, Tottenham; John Foster,
Hull; Edmund Fry, Plymouth; Charles Gilpin, London;
Burwood CeAllee, Lewes ; James W. Green, Gough-
square, Fleet- street ; William Grimshaw, jun.,
Witham; Joseph Harlock, Finelon, near Wellinborough;
Wrn. Holmes, Alton ; Thomas Hudson, Tokenhouse-
yard; Joseph Huntley, jun., Reading; Charles 11iudley,
M.P., London; John G. Hewlett, Stepney-green; Wm.
Irwin, Manchester; Rassell Jeffrey, Peckkam ;
John Lee, Esq., L.L.D., F.R.S., Hartwell, near Ayles •
bury; Richard Littlebody, Berkhampstead; Thomas
Love, Little Britain; C. H. Lovell, M.D., Nelson-
square; Rev. Thomas W. Matthew, Boston; Charles
Mackay, London; Edward Miles, Liverpool-street; M.
M. Monro, Enfield; John Mottram, Little Britain;
1). G. Pain, Deptford; James Peek, London; Stephen
Rigaud, Woburn-buildings, Tavistock square ; Rev.
Henry Richard, London; E. W. Richard, London;
Henry Isaac Roper, Bristol; Charles Saunders, Cob-
ham; John Scobte, Landon; Joseph Shewell, Col-
chester; Rev. 'Thomas Spencer, Bath; Thomas Squire,
Berkhampstead; Rev. John Stevenson, M.A., London;
John F. Stevenson, London; Rev. William Stokes, Bir-
' mingham; Joseph Sturge, Birmingham; William Suter,
Greenwich; Samuel Surge, Loudon; Rev. J. B.
Talbot, London; Rt:v. Henry Taylor, Wondbridge ;
Frederick Tuckett, London; John F. Tyler, Kenning-
ton-lane; Rev. William Tyler, Spitalfields; The Hon.
A. Vissehers, Brussels; William Ward, A)leibury;
Rev. F. G. Williamq Hackney-road; J. G. Williams,
jun., Hackney-road; Shakspere Wood, Edinburgh; Rev.
John Woodwark, Upton, Essex; Rev. T. E. Wycherley,
Tring.

ADDRESS OF THE PEACE CONGRESS TO
THE GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE AND
AMERICA.

In the month of September last, a Congress was held
in the city of Brussels, whose great object was to promote
and secure permanent peace among the civilized nations of
the earth, by finding, if possible, an efficient substitute for
the bloody, uncert,tin, and costly arbitrament of war. The
Congress was composed of numerous individuals, speak-
ing various languages, living under diverse forms of
government, and entertaining different political opinions
arid religious convictions, but drawn together by a com-
mon sentiment of humanity, and an ardent desire to pro-
mote the welfare of mankind, by removing the causes
and incentives to war.

The eminent position which you occupy in the councils
of the nations of Europe and America, induces the Con-
gress, of which we are the representatives, to submit to
your serious consideration the great and important
questions which formed the subject of their anxious de-
liberations ; and respectfully, yet earnestly, to invite
your attention to the conclusions at which they arrived.
They will be found embodied in the following resolutions:
Ist. That, in the judgment of this Congress, an appeal
to arms for the purpose of deciding disputes among
nations, is-a custom condemned alike by religion, reason,
justice, humanity, and the best interests of the people;
and that, therefore, it considers it to be the duty of the
civilized world to adopt measures calculated to effect its
entire abolition.

2d. That it is of the highest importance to urge on
the several Governments of Europe and America, the
necessity of introducing a clause into all international
treaties, providing for the settlement of all disputes by
arbitration, in an amicable manner, and according to the
rules of justice and equity—special arbitrators, or a
supreme international Court, to be invested with power
to decide in cases of necessity, as a last resort.
3d. That the speedy convocation of a Congress of
Nations, composed of duly appointed representatives, for
the purpose of framing a well-digested and authoritative
international Code, is of the greatest importance, in-
asmuch as the organization of such a body and the
unanimous adoption of such a Code, would be an effectual
means of promoting universal peace.
4th. That this Congress respectfully calls the attention
of civilised Governments to the necessity of a general
and simultaneous disarmament, as a means whereby they
may greatly diminish the financial burthens which press
upon them ; remove a fertile cause of irritation and in-
quietude ; inspire mutual confidence ; and promote the
interchange of good offices, which, while they advance
the interests of each state in particular, contribute largely
to the maintenance of general peace, and to the lasting
prosperity of nations.
These substitutes for war adopted by the Congress re-
quire no arguments to enforce them, for it is evident
that if they be adopted and applied, that terrible scourge
of humanity will cease to afflict and degrade the nations.
Few, if any of the wars, which for centuries past have
desolated the earth, can be justified on the ground of
equity, utility, or necessity ; nor can any ono of them
be cited whose fearful results are not loudly condemned
by the voice of humanity and religion. The war-spirit
of past generations has loaded most, if not all civilised
nations with enormous debts, paralyzed their industry,
interrupted their commerce, retarded the progress of
science, literature, and art, and created a spirit of jea-
lousy and animosity among the nations which long years
of peace have not been able completely to subdue.
Europe at this moment presents the melancholy spec-
tacle of an " armed peace." Her mighty legions are
ready to take the field; and it is feared that under these
melancholy circumstances a single spark from the torch
of War, may wrap the world in flames : May God
avert so terrible a. catastrophe I
t h
eThhaengdrae aotf qtunnessteiotnos of Peacewhomthe
and
h n governmentWa
r areconfided
the t'
na-
tions has been entrusted. Their responsibility is as
great as their power ; and while the Congress would
earnestly pray that " The God of Peace" may deign to
preside over their councils, it would implore them, in
the name of the dearest interests of humanity, civiliza-
tion, and religion, promptly to adopt the most effective
measures for preventing a return of the horrors of war,
and for securing to all nations the blessings of a solid
andt:eaa
lea,_d_s•str,icil ,t 1 ker.
The t-t •
s 3L ution of arb!tration for war would be an
immense Ste c, towards this object; the principle, and the
ngth it e
progress
smight
obuen
d embodied
poltica nl
opinionsspecia l
f
countries; for the porpoze ofi
cIPZa. ieet: which
ict enlightened
S::3l7otkTlidtpat he
theeN intelligibleura'venrtloalgn(ualbsai °jibes
a;wi aneCeneennoa(tnil ntgthmthreeeeresdinlsiiiictoEr: different
of a High Court of Nations,
accordance
comprchensiv, 3 principles of suocnhs,afcurodthe final adjudica-
tion
the C:233 sea of war, but cement
don of moot questions
ada noble and holy
with the great and
great a result,n
it piseodples.
slisiarramblae?lthrna that
Code, would not only
alliance betw( e a both governments
btilbeol-unniintetasikseijet7; tldot)il 7ae,ogra.essnoseuraelh aanndasuit7wlittahnoeuotu s
compromising
nyigfugii: ace.