Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-12-02
PEACE CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS ELIHU
RIRRITT

We find the following in the Boston Daily Adycr-
tiser, which lis Editor says is translation OF an
editorial article in La Prcsse (of Pars) of Sept D.
This JOURNAL remarkable for the practical view 1t
has taken of events and since the Revolution,
has the largest circulation of any paper in the word
$4,000 copies at one period being daily printed on
four presses, from four different compositions Al
present its circulation is about 10000, and three
forms only are composed. If we may Judge BY the
tone of this article, the desire in France for the
maintenance of large military establishments, is not
SO general we have been led TO suppose.
Zone Of the remarkable of our time has
Just passed some days almost unknown in Paris.
"Born in a little village of Massachusetts, without
any resource but his hands, and that public nstruc-
ton which in the United States is the common for
tune of all, Mr.. Ehu Burr is living proof OF the
great results which may be obtained under the be-
nignant influence of liberal institutions. He gained
his bread by his black smiths forge, and the few
hours which he could spare from his rude task were
devoted to the cultivation of his mind and more es-
peciay TO the study OF foreign languages. After
years of effort he was master Of more than thirty
Unlike the celebrated NJ, zz1anti, MIR. Burntt has
had no opportunity of practising the languages III CON
versaton, and he does not therefore produce upon
the vulgar observer the sentiment Of astonSh-
ment as does the amiablc but somewhat superficial
Cardinals but also, unlike NJ, zzofanti, he has en-
dcavorcd to render his Ibors useful to science and to
humanity.
"He began by composing certain essays on the
comparative construction and genius of different Ian
guagcs, but soon felt that his efforts should take
higher direction, and that the propagation OF 'dedS
themselves, was far important than any DIS
Ouisition upon the mantle in which they might be
clothed.
"For long time many serious minds in the United
States have been occupied with the possibility OF
codiying the uncertain regulations when now COM
pose our public law, and Of forming, if not COM
petc code of international intercourse, at least some
thing which shall be more clear and positive than
those uncertain traditions the final interpretation OF
which is made by the voice OF cannon. The
United States have proved by their own example,
that it is possible TO do for nations what St Louis
accomplished for individuals viz to abolish the gage
dc bdtdiHe aud substitute for II Il regular tribunal
This idea is no longer a mere nrbGlouS conception:
il has become positive fact. The supreme Court
of the United States decides between thirty Rcpub-
lies, all those contests which III Europe are settled,
not according recognized principles Of JUSTICE but
by brute force, strategic skilI;by violence or by
cunning To the adoption in Europe of this pacific
institution, Mr.. Burrlt has devoted all his talents
and all his energies.
journal called the Bond Of brotherhood, several
thousand copies of which circulate in England anG
Am"r;rn Ry s"r!"s Of facts, an cdotcs and r"a
logical arguments, given with III" penetrating sim
plicity of Franklin's BOahOmme Richard, are ShowI
the folly of war-the long series OF national disas
tiers and Of nrccompcnscd private misery which are
its consequence, the sacrifices required for military
establishments kept up by the people at the expense
OF the general production, and in consequence OF the
well-being of the masscs-thc sad eli, CT produced
agriculture by abstracing from it the most robust
while there is much excellent land in every Euro
pcan state still uncutivatcd, and while thousands
die annually from starvation, OF employing two or
three million young men, strong and hearty, in
walking three steps forward, in order TO walk three
steps back,in turning half or wholly round on thciI
hee,-and in lifting up muskets, simply to put them
down again.
"Day by dav, we recognize more and more, that
these enormous masses of armed men, instead Of be-
ing has been pretended the guardians Of peace,
the contrary Of the greatest incentives to
war, they being the constant source of international
distrusl, jealousy and aggression Let hope that
the time distant, when the efforts of CnlIght-
encd sustained by those Of prudent tax payers,
will be attended with success, and that the various
governments may may be obliged to diminish their
military eXpcnScstO restore 10 agriculture the force
which they have unwi,clv taken from t,-and to
establish some international tribunal whose decisions
shall be binding all people. The public force
which might at first b. necessary to secure the exc
cution OF the dgCrees OF tins tribunal, would be, COM
paratvely speaking. small, that its subtraction
from the productive forces of the various states would
not aggravate as AT present, the misery of the work
ing classes
After rccounting the efforts and success of Mr..
Burritt in England, the Prcsse siludcs the organ
izaon Of the Brussels meeting and continues:-
"Reccivcd in Belgium with distinction by the
Minister Of the Interior, Mr.. Burritt permitted
to assign the rendezvous for the preparatory meet
ing the saloon Of the Minister; aud the most eminent
men of Belgium, Messicurs de Beitfcnbcrg, Viss
cheers, Ducpetiax aud Russell, (the distinguished
Professors Of penal aw,) united their efforts to his,
for the organization of the conferences. Special trains
were provided at the expense Of the government al
the different railways, for the conveyance Of the del
egatcs
awe publish the circular signed by Mr.. Burrtt
and by the delegates of the English dcputation 1t
seems TO worthy of deep attention. The institu-
ton of sort of Amphyctoric council, which shall
regulate the difference between the various states Of
Chrstendom will no doubt appear chinrrica to the
greater part of those who slfstyled, practical
men. 1t must not be forgotten, however, that in the
month oil March OF this very year, fifty two men,
subjects Of various kingdoms and prlncipaIti,s
bled spontaneously at Mannheim, and there arranged
the basis of what seemed then not a hit less chin
ercal, viz: the unity Of Germany by means of re.
preventative institutions. Three months after,
German Parliament commenced its session at Franc
fort.'