The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-07-17
Elihu Burritt,

Betterknown as the "Ledrned Black
smith," has become the apostle ofpeace
and of the free institutions Of America
to England. Some few months since,
after dra wing up q very broad platform
fora League of Universal Brotherhood,
Mr.. Burritt sailedior England, with The
view of promulgating the principles Of
the league, which contempIates univer-
sal peace between all n%ations;a pledge
has been circulated in England and A.
merica 10 the effect that lis subscribers
bind themselves TO enter into no war,
Which already numbers about 100000
signers. To aid in carrying out his
views, Mr.. Burritt seeks to establish
relations between these two countries
which will bind them closer together
bv bonds ofmutual interest and feeling.
On his arrival in England, and amid
the great scarcity Of food, he set him
self to bring our indian corn, then
deemed scarcely fit for. cattle TO eat,
into more general use as an article Of
human food. To this end. having pre-.
pared himself herewith, he caused TO
be circulated in railroad cars. steam
boats, and through the mails, printed
slips, or SOLVE ieaves,"as he calls them
containing receipts for making all man
ner Of bread and filings of corn meal,
and he notified his friends that he should
decline invitations to breakfast, dinner
or tea, unless he could be assured Of
corn meal in some shape. This may
to some appear an undertaking Of small
Importance, but the immense export OF
this same Indian corn meal to England
during the last few months, shows how
much it is now valued, and there can
be no doub, that it is appreciated to a
much greater extent by the circulation
Of some $4,000 to 100000 OF these SIM
pie solve leaves" the material for
which was furnished by some Of our
best American housewives. If Mr..
Burrit has not given food he has at least
shown how it may be made.
With staff in hand, this missionary
Of the people went through the suffer-
ing districts Of ireland, and was an eye
witness Of the scenes Of starvation and
keen distress Of Skibbereen, and from
his pen we have graphic sketches from
life and death, that have done much to
awaken sympathy for the sufferers
These letters have been published in
the Christian Citizen, a paper edited
BY Mr.. Burritt in Massachusetts,, and
filed with the MODEST sentiments OF
devotion to the interests OF humanity,
worldwide. One town in Massachu-
sets, besides money, has forwared
twenty-five boxes Of clothing, which
Nh. Burritt has promised to distribute
personally.
His heart is full OF goodwill, and his
goodwill takes the form of good deeds.
With the view to eradicate those ma
tiona! prejudices existing in the minds
Of adults, he suggests that the children
Of 4 school in one town in England
communicate by letter on subjects Of
mutual interest with those Of a town
Of the same name in America. Such
a correspondence is now, to a consid-
cradle extent, established and increas-
ing.
These undertakings having been put
iatc successful operation, Mr.. Burritt
has Turned his efforts to the establish
ment Of a system Of ocean penny pos
tage. which is for the purpose Of car
rying letters across the Atlantic for n
penny, a work Of Importance only q
auailed By the internal system Of cheap
postage, and one which will reflect
great honor on its originator. With a
large portion Of our citizens, relativss