Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-12
PEACE DEPARTMENT.

PEACE DEPARTMENT.
The following article is from the pen Of
one who is probably doing more for the
cause of Peace, than almost any other in
dividual Of the present day.
For the Vernaont Telegraph.
Mr.. Murray unknown friend
Sent me your paper Of March 18th; but
being absent from home, | did not see it
until lately. In it, observe some stric-
lures on an article entitled, 1.-The object
of Peace Societies Practicabe,' which l
believe appeared 10 late No. of the
American Advocate of Peace, but | am
not certain, for my memory is very treach-
erous, and | have not the Advocate at
hand. (D
l like the general tenor of the article
in your paper, for perceive you are, as
we'll as myself, thorough going peace
man; but do not agree with you in eve
rything. You think the American Peace
Society "a perfect anomaly" because mo
pledge is required with respect TO individ-
ual conduct" In this, differ from you.
The Bible Society has no pledge. Even
Roman Catholics have given it aid, tho
[ confess, but in very few instances, and
so have, believe, almost as many Uni
versalists. The Tract Society and the
various missionary societies have no
pledge. They accept aid from all who
will aid them, and DO not see why
Peace Societies should not do the same. (2)
AT the organization Of the American
Peace Society, it was not deemed expe-
dent to declare either in favor Of or
against, defensive war, (3) but to ask the
assistance of men Ct all grades of senti-
ment, to shew to the public, that war is
tremendous evil, (4) both temporal and
eternal; that it destroys the souls, no less
than the bodies, of men, by introducing
and fostering every kind Of sin and mi
qultyi that 1t prepares men for everlasting
destruction, and then sends them, by thou
sands, to their dread and last account: in
hne, that it is "a SYSTEM" as said Robert
Hall, tout Of which almost every virtue
IS excluded and every vice incorporated"
We asked the aid of all men, especially
h1ianthropists and christians, to do what
could be done to abolish so horrid and so
sinful custom: (5) at the same time, it
opened the pages of its periodical to the
Tree discussion of the all importan: ques-
ton, whether war can ever, in any case.
eJus,lfied on the principles of the gospel,
believing that the cause of Truth can new
er be injured by free discussion. (6)
But this was nine years ago, and peace
principles have advanced astonishingI
since that time. Then, to have advocated
the principle that all war is inconsistent
with the spirit of the gospel, would have
leit us without supporters, as was fuIv
tried by the New York and PENNSYLVANIA
Peace Societies, both Of which died for
want of support, within two years Of their
Bnt now, it is hoped that the American
public will support, at least, one society
ana one periodical in the high principle,
that al war, both offensive and defensive.
ana contrary to the spirit of the gospel
At the anniversary of the American Peace
Society, held in New York last Nav we
adopted a new constitution, founded on the
principle of total abstinence from all war
offensive and defensive. 1t is an expert,
ment; We shall see. But of this am
confident, that such society will need All
me support which its friends can Give
Already many have leltus or declared the;r
Intention of doing so, and manv o,ha,s
have grown cold. We are accused of
Ultraism" and Radicalism" becs,sa
we have boldly come forward and advocat
ed the principles which the Prince of
Peace preach he'd in his first sermon, " b;ch
shone so brightly through everv nara -
his history, and which be so noblv e1or
plihed' in suffering for his enemies ratha,
han make them suffer, in dying that thew
mig ut live, and in praying, as he ern;rsJ
IN Inc cross. victim to the malice of his
enemies, Father forgive them, for ,ben
fnow not what they do" ~
We made this change ia our co,s,;t,
ion, at the earnest request of m,nv 49,
'efusedsto aid US until we adopted sncb
principle, and think thew are now IN
lonor bound to support US better than va ;
yer yet have been supported; (9)for hither. {
we have been supported by great individ. ,
Ial sacrifices. and many have become WOO
y in well doing. If those who reouested
nd wished this change do not grant ns t
heir support, and we fail for want of !, e
in will lie at their door, for thew have i
he light in their own bosoms, and refnss
} let it shine. (l0) i
Individuals may help the cause Of d
eace, oy becoming annual members Of q
ur society, by subscribing not lsss thu, Z