Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-12-25
[coMMuaIcATED ron THE sPEcTATon.1


[coMMuaIcArED ron THE sPEcTATon.1
Extract .fi,om an address before q
meeting in Ohio, Of Society esta.
5ASAed far the hu7Hose |hromotins
Universal Peace, explanatory Vht
1trincihiea and viegvs Of said society.
LIv BRErauEs Am Fellow ClrrzEss,
Irequestyour patience afcw moments,
while attempt, III very brief manner, to
explain some Of the distinguishing prin-
ciples and views of the associations cal
led the Peace Society. Long has the
ear of beneyolence been panied with the
horrid echoes of war. Perhaps iii most,
if not all ages of the world, there have
been some magnanimous minds who
have SO far raised themselves above
popular prejudices as tic view the trade
of war in some degree with a just abhor-
renee. Yet, alas the frantic delusion
of mistaken mortals has taught them to
imagine their safety alone depends on
being expert in the barbarous business
of human butchery. 1t is much to be
lamented that such has been, and still is,
the state of the world, that those states
men who have been most successful at
intrigue and the most expert in putting
& false varnish over false or trifling pre-
texts for war, have, by such prostitution
ofstation and talent, raised themselves TO
celebrated fame. But may we not anti
cipate. a better state Of things E? The good
ness of the Ruler of the universe is al
ways bringing good out Of every occur
renee. We think the long and bloody
wars which, for some years past, have
afflicted and destroyed the inhabitants
of infatuated Europe, have been the
means ofarousing the benevolent sensibi-
lities in the breasts of a greater number
of practical phllanthropists, than ever be-
fore at one period stood forward as adj
yocates for suffering humanity.
Men associated for the purpose of put
ting such principles into practice are
the characters, generally speaking, who
compose the societies called Peace So
Cietes---those who have associated for the
purpose of using their united influence
in improving, as far as in their power,
the moral condition Of human society.
For that purpose endeavoring to con-
vince their fellow men that wars may,
generally at least, be averted by gov
eminent pursuing pacific and upright
policy. Although there may he many
among the associated friends of peace,
who are principled against wars in any
shape, yet that point is not made a test
OF membership; but each individual is
allowed freedom of opinion in the mat
ter: so that our society consists not on
ly of those who will not war even in self
defence, but also of those who think the
state of the world SO bad that nation
could not, in their opinion, long exist
without defending themselves. Yet
they have seen with deep regret the
triiling causes of dispute which often in
fluence nations in waging war, as we'll
as the juggling farce usually played at
pretended negotiations, in order to pre-
pare public sentiment to endure an ap-
peal to arms. These are the reasons,
with many more that might be mention
ed, which have induced men of the above
description to unite in order to dissent
nate pacific principles. Having made
these statements of what we conceive to
be some Of the general principles Of the
friends Of peace, we will next endeavor
to point out some few Of the numerous
reasons which ought to Justify the mem
bers of Peace Associations in making eff
forts to amelorate the condition of the
great family OF human kind. To make
the absurdity and miseries ofwar appear
in some degree in their proper colors,
we will suppose, ifyou please, that some
of us ia this assembly were enabled to
make visit to another planet in the So
lar system which we find inhabited by
human beings like ourselves. While
we Journey around their world we may
Gee them divided into different settle
ments by rivers, seas, or mountains.
Yet suppose we should scan them with
the most acute scrutiny, the greatest
difference we should be able to discern,
might be various calculations of the
voice, or different colors of the skin.
Yet most certainly we should be impress
sed with the idea that the Great Parent
ofthe universe designed them to live to-
gether in harmony becoming children
in his great family. But how should
we be shocked to see more or less of
their different tribes continually engaged
in mutual destruction ? And all that, too,
for trifles which, if they were properly
estimated, would appear very insignifi-
cant! But, behold! what must heighten