The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-18

The Var System Of the Commonwealth Of Nations.
BY C. SUMNER, Boston. Ticknor and Co. lS49

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The W@ System Of the Commonwealth Of Nations.
BY C. SUMNER Boston. Ticknor and Co. l649
The late John Foster wrote an essay on the aver
sion of men of taste to evangelical religion He
might have found an appropriate theme for his
vigorous pen in the aversion of men of taste to phi
anthropc discourses. They are usually very poor
things, full of extravagant overstatements tawdry
rhetoric, and commonplace twaddle about as savory
as veal sandwiches without salt, and about as nu-
ritious as stale ginger-beer. Mr.. Summers dis
course is of very different stamp 1t is the pro-
duction of lawyer and scholar, written from
full mind, as well a large heart well-reasoned,
and well-expressed He distinctly admits the right
of sefdefence to exist in individuals and in nations,
and, as consequence, the right of nations to seek
by force of arms redress from intolerable wrongs,
and to throw off the yoke of CALLING political
bondage. Waving the discussion of these abstract
metaphysical questions, he proceeds speak of the
institution of war as an established arbier of JUS
tce in the commonwealth of nations. This is re-
cognised by the law of nations. But viewed in this
light war becomes at once crime. 1t differs in no
respect in principle from the practice of dueng,
which all moralists condemn; or from the trial by
battle of the euda ages, which the advancing wis
dom of the world has long since abolished. As in
dividuas, towns, counties, and Tin our country
sovereign States submit their controversies to the
peaceful arbitration of legal tribunals, why should
not all christian nations do the same In ilustra-
ton of these views the enormous cost of the war
system is forcby set forth and presented in strk-
ing light by comparison with the good which
might be DONE were the wealth thus wasted ex-
pended for pacific objects. He objects to the prin
ciple of preparing for war in the time of peace as
having tendency to bring about the very result
meant to be guarded against, by making it the in
erest of large number of persons to commence
and maintain a state of war
Mr.. Sumner then proceeds to consider the va
rious means by which the war system may be over
thrown, and the unity of the great human family be
brought about. This part of the address will be
read with peculiar interest by all rejecting men,
from the valuable historical information which it
contains. Passing in rapid review the efforts on
the part of nations to establish political union,
such as the Amphyctionic council, the Hanseatic
league, the Helvetc union, and the influence of the
Christian church in promoting the cause of peace,
he pauses to pay tribute to the memory of those
benefcent philosophers who have dedicated their
powers to this great end. He speaks of Nicole, of
Penn, of the Able Saint Pierre, mot to be con-
founded with the author of Paul and Virginia. of
Leibnitz, of Rousseau, and of Bentham and in our
own country, the honored names of Worcester,
Claiming, and Ladd He aludes to the peace con-
vention at Brussels, to that about to meet in Paris,
to measures on behalf of peace brought before
Congress- the National Assembly in France, and
the English Parliament, hopeful facts in the his
tory of the peace movement The concluding
pages are devoted to statement of the practcabity
of the aims of the friends of peace in desiring the
establishment of high court of judcature for the
ture Of the consequences of such contamination,
and to an eloquent exhortation to the friends Of
peace to persevere in their efforts to enghtcn pub
lie sentiment.
This meagre outline of Mr.. Summers discourse
resembles it only map resembles landscape.
The reader add to il taste, learning, eloquence
and logic, and color the whole with the warm hues
of generous and word-embracing philanthropy.
Mr.. Summers naturally fertile mind has been en-
rched by the deposits of wide and deep stream OF
cultivation. His style is rich, ornate, and glowing,
readily Towering into figures and dverging into
graceful illusions. Perhaps he would gain some
what in the rhetorical effort of his style by using
the pruningknise little more freely, and keeping
under its tropical luxuriance The half would
sometimes be more than the whole.
There are many who will not subscribe to Mr..
Summers conclusions Some will think them vi
sonary, and some premature. Some will imagine
that they presuppose an exemption from violent
impulses, such as humanity can never hope to at
tain to. Some will various practical difficulties.
But even from his opponents, Mr.. Sumner claims
a fair hearing, not only by the scholarship, learn
ing, and taste with which he has embeished
subject not often so commended but because his
discourse is logical and we-consuucted argument,
and not succession Of declamatory assertions IL
is not enough to dissent from the conclusions of
such writer. He has right to demand that his
reasonings should also be answered.
The History Of Julius Cesar, by J.coB AsBor.
Harper e. Brothers, New York. This is an
other Of those very pleasant books for children
which the Harpers have published in such beauti-
ful style. The book is for sale by Taylor and
Maury.
The Woodrnan, by JAMES. Harper e. Bro
theirs. We have also received a novel, with the
above title, by this popular author, from Messrs.
Taylor and Maury.
Tpee: A Peep at Poiy'esian LIFE, during a four
pao.fbsi rseiaencf an TaIl,p of IN, The