The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-07-25
For The Voice Of Freedom.
PRINCIPLES OF PEACE--NO. I5.

II TOT We voice q Ffeed0W'
PRINCIPLES OF PEACE--NO. 10.
The principle of society or association
must be brought to aid the cause ofpeace
Facts and analogy may show that this il
< indispensable. As we'll might any olhe
branch of moral and christian duty be sus
tanned and carried forward against curren
of popularity, without the aid Of society o.
the benign influence of the social faculties
IL there is TO be found a reason, why, asSo'
citation should be employed in moral reform
Of any kind, in aid of maternal duties, in
worship, or even in prayers there is no less
reason why it should be employed in the
cause Of peace If associated effort ia the
cause Of temperance, could underworld the
imperious and perpetual demands of ind-
viduai appetite, and rescue the irresolute
victim from its slavery much more, may
associated effort overcome practice whose
vital element, whose very life, is popular
eclat; and which is even supported by wide
spread and persevering calculation and eff
fort
Or if we look to the grounds and reasons,
for sustaining another class of benevolent
efforts, such as Missionary; Bible and
Tract operations, we shall find the same
reasons equally applicable to this enterprise.
But reason for peace societies is found
still more absolute, in the fact, that the 9TH
er benevolent objects of the day have each
its society, its appropriate time, and place.
Such preference TO other objects severally
has amounted TO an exclusion of this.
Some thirty years ago, the subject of ra-
tional reform in society with reference 10
war, as by simultaneous and divine impulse,
was brought into consideration both in this
country and in Europe, and that under cir
cumstances highly suspicious. Central So
cieties were formed 10 several countries, on
benevolent principles, for the establishment
and security of permanent and universal
peace. Had this good beginning been
properly carried forward; had such socie-
lies been multiplied and extended as far as
the gospel of peace is received subsequent
events warrant the belief, that the present
rising and risen generation would have en-
tertaned measurably correct views and
principles on this important subject; and
we should now have seen the world plos-
pecively redeemed from war. But the
plan Of auxiliary societies was not much at
tempted. National societies endeavored 10
carry forward the good work by means Of
the press looking for aid from other benevo-
lent organizations. And in this they failed.
Whenever application was made 10 clerical
bodies of various denominations they usu-
ally responded appreciation, and that was
about all. In few resolutions, or few
notices in some religious journal the re-
spouse has generally died away unheard or
UNDECIDED by the public. The church has
been silent on the subject and the press has
become nearly SO. And why2 Because
the cause of peace has had no organization
extended through the length and breadth Of
christian community. No time or place has
been found for il. Let me ask those who
have watched with interest the cause of
temperance, what would have become Of
that favored reform, had all its interests,
been left to bodies formed for other purpo-
SEES, and TO one monthly pamphlet in a nd
ton, aud that ratronized by very few, and
one annual evening concer, Tor prayer usu'
ally where known, forgotten until past g
Had the cause OF temperance been left TO
such means, might not the fires of the dis
tilery have burned on still? The rendez
yous erog-sbop still have presented its
lreacherous lure? and the ranks of the
drunkard been kept full with crlmson>
blooming recruits And can we wonder
that the cause of peace should laneuish left
to such means d? But one difficulty has
sometimes been named by the friends of
peace-that they know no distinct pledge
or test of sentiment which may serve as a
line of demarcalon between the abetors OF
war and the friends Of peace. And the
general terms IN which the objects of the
American Peace Society and other kindred
institutions are expressed in their consttu
tions would seem to admit that objection.
Now if no such pledge or text ca be form
ed the difficulty is indeed an obstinate one.
But apprehend, all the difficulty has grown
out of the practice Of connecting extraneous
subjects, and nice and difficult questions, of
another and distinct class, with the plain
question Of peace, as ii stands in contrast 10
International war. The true ground is this.
Discard International qrar entirely. Adj