Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-19
Address Of the Peace Congress

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Address Of the Peace Congress
TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE AND
AMERICA.
In the month Of September last, Congress
was held in the city Of Brussels, whose great
object was 10 promote and secure permanent
peace among the civilized nations Of tho earth,
by finding, II possible, an efficient substitute for
the bloody, uncertain, and costly arbtrament Of
war. The Congress was composed OF numerous
individuals, speaking various languages, living
under diverse forms Of Government, and enter
tanning different political opinions and religious
convictions, but drawn together by common
sentiment Of humanity, and an ardent desire to
promote the welfare Of mankind by removing
the causes and incentives TO war.
The eminent position which you occupy in the
councils of the nations Of Europe and America,
induces the Congress, of which we are the rep
reseatatiSes, to submit 10 your serious consdera-
ton the great and important questions which
formed the subject of their anxious deliberations,
and respectfully, yet earnestly, invite your at
tention to the conclusions at which they srTiyed-
They will be found embodied in the following
resolutions:
LIST. That, in the Judgment Of this Congress,
an appeal to arms for the purpose Of deciding
disputes among nations, is a custom condemned
alike by religion, reason, justice, humanity, and
the best interests of the people; and that, there
fore, it considers 1t to be the duty Of the civil
ized world TO adopt measures calculated TO effect
its entire abolition.
2d. That it is Of the highest Importance to
urge on the several Governments Of Europe and
America the necessity Of introducing clause
into all international treaties providing for the
settlement of all disputes by arbitration, in an
amicabe manner, and according to the rules Of
Justice and equity-special arbitrator. or SUI
preme international court, 10 be invested with
power 10 decide in cases Of necessity as last
resort.
Sd. That the speedy convocation Of Con-
gress Of Nations composed Of duly appointed
representatives., for the purpose Of framing
we'll digested and authoritative international
code, is Of the greatest importance, inasmuch as
the organization Of such body, and the unani-
nous adoption Of such code would be an eff
, fectual means of promoting universal peace.
4th. That this Congress respectfully calls the
attention of civilized Governments to the neces-
siiy Of general and simultaneous disarmament,
US means whereby they may greatly diminish
: the financial burdens which press upon them /;
remove a fertile cause of irritation aud inquie-
v tude; inspire mutual confidence; and promote
;, the interchange Of good offices, which, while
: they advance the interests Of each State in par
a iicuar contribute largely to the maintenance Of
!, general peace, and to the lasting prosperity Of
nations
? These substitutes for war adopted by the Con-
! gress require no arguments to enforce them; for
i is evident that if they be adopted and applied
n that terrible scourge of humanity will cease to
affct and degrade the nations
: Few, ii any OF the wars which, for centuries
past, have desolated the earth can be justified
!, on the ground Of equity, utility, or necessity
u nor can any one Of them be cited whose fearful
: results are not loudly condemned by the voice
e OF Humanity and Religion The war spirit q
H.. "a - ot all ~,
/. lied nations, with enormous debts, paralyzeC
their industry, interrupted their commerce. re
iarded the progress Of science, literature anC
u art, and created spirit Of jealousy and animos
u ity among the nations which long years Of peace
e have not been able completely to subdue.
" Europe, at this moment, presents the melan
choly spectacle Of an EARNED peace" Hel
mighty legions are ready TO take the field, ant
n it is feared that under these melancholy circum
!. stances a single spark from the torch OF war may
:, wrap the world in flames May God avert Sc
V terrible catastrophe
j. The great questions OF peace and war are con
j. 6ded to the hands of those TO whom the govern
u ment of the nations has been entrusted. Thei
n responsibility is as great Ms their power; ant
"a while the Congress would earnestly pray tina
"The God Of Peace" may deign to preside ovel
. their councils it would implore them, in thu
~ name Of the dearest interests Of humanity, civ
"a ilization, and religion, promptly to adopt tn
nj most effective measures for preventing a retur
ii of the horrors of war, and for securing to Al
n nations the blessings Of solid and lasting peace
,r The substitution Of arbitration for war woul
n. BE- an immense step towards this object; th
u principle and the means for giving il effect migh
be embodied in special treaties, but the progress
10 OF sound political opinions leads still further
rs The converting Of Congress, composed Of III
- most enlightened aud eminent men Of all eour
* tries, for the purpose Of framing an information
al code which shall place the relations betwee
. the different nations on q solid and intelgibl
u, basis, and the institution Of High Court of M
OF lions for the final adjudication of questions
H. accordance with the great and comprehensiy
- principles of such code, would not only remoy
up the causes of war, but cement noble and hol
th alliance between both governments and people
Ia. In anticipation Of so great result it is desi
~, able that the necessity Of a general and simuh
" neous disarmament should take place, as such q
'ss act, without compromising the dignity or mpai
Is ing the strength OF Governments, would be Il
he surest guaranty for the preservation of gener
he peace and the advance Of public prosperity.
me- The Congress is fully aware that the force
circumstances, the progress Of modern industi
M. aud commerce, the greater faciity and freque
~. CIV of communication between the nations u
."sS diffusion of knowledge, and the more elevat,
"u sentiments OF humanity and religion, all tend
me prevent the recurrence Of war but It is n
ry, less assured that II remains with the Cover
ant monts Of the civilized world to put an end
that fatal and sanguinary custom, by adoptil
me those wise and necessary measures which sh
nos lead to so happy result.
- In submitting to statesmen the recommend
'gs tions embodied in the resolutions the Congr'
IN entertains Just and legitimate confidence th
We they will not be disregarded; and that the Go
CHI. ernments of Europe and America, animated
and an ardent and sincere desire 70 promote !
welfare Of the great commonwealth Of nauoi
~. will determine, as In the Performance of a sacr
oe duty, to give them practical Iapplicsuon' al
ana thus aid in securing the peace Of the world.
ris- AUGUSTE ViSSCflERs, Belgium, PRE-
had WnIISM EwAnr, England, I
ack ELmu BuRRIrr, " eia'es' v, Pre-
ress FRANcIsouE BouyEri France,
aud Nj. SURINoAR, Holland,