The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-20
FOR THE GALAXY.
ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.

The undersigned members of THE AMERI-
CAN COMMITTEE FOR CONGRESS OF NATIONS"
being joint Committee representing three As
sociations for the cause of Peace-desire TO pre-
sent to the Public view Of the value and practi-
cability of the object for which they are associa
ted, and its claims on the attention and aid Of
their fellow citizens.
The Peace Societies in Great Britain and the
United States early perceived that most of the
wars Of modern civilized nations were Occasoned
by disputes for the settlement of which there was
| needed, either a COMMON ARBITER or PRINCE
| PIES OF LAW, not supplied by the uncertain and
unauthorized precedents called The Law of Ma
| tons: :" and in the belief that the establishment
OF this Arblier or these principles, on sufficient
| authority, would be the means of preventing all
wars. they proposed CONGRESS to be composed
of Delegates from all the Sovereign Powers ac-
ceding TO this arrangement. whose duty it should
be, to form such code of International law as
would receive the assent of all and become ba-
sis, on which an impartial Court could determine
| future disputes.
| We viii not detlin YOU with relation of the
successive discussions and measures through
which this proposal has passed to its present ma
| turity; we will only say in brief that memorials
in its favor to the British Parliament and to the
Congress Of the United States, at different times,
have met with friendly reception that the Legis-
lature of Massachusetts has twice passed Resolu-
lions recommending ii and that large volume
of Essays on the subject, issued by the American
Peace Society, has been presented to many of the
leading SOvereigus and eminent Statesmen of Eu
rope and America, by whom il has been acknowl-
edged with appreciation.
We are now encouraged to renewed excrtion
in this enterprise under the happiest auspices A
Convention for this object was held at Brussels
in Belgium last September, composed of Dele
gates from Great Britain France, Belgium Prus-
STA, Holland, SPAN, Italy and the United States
of America; persons generally eminent in sta
| lion and talent and some of whom were connect
| ed with the Governments Of the nations they rep
| resented. In this Convention there a lumn-
Gus discussion of the principles of a Congress Of
Nations, and urgent recommendations of its spec
dy establishment. We quote one of the Resolu
lions passed there, with only one dissenting voice
That it is the settled conviction of this body
that the convocation Of a Congress of Nations
composed of duly appointed representatives is Of
the highest importance nasmuch as it would Sc
cure the establishment of a well dieested code of
laws for the regulation of international intercourse:
and by constituting a High Court of Nations,
would provide an eifectua guaranty for the pres
ervation of permanent and universal Peace"
The Convention followed by large meet
ings in England, at which several members of
Parliament and other eminent men were present
and where the sentiments and proceedings of that
body were enthusiastically approved. A deputa-
ton from the Convention with an Address to the |
British Government fayOrably received by (
the Premier, and an intimatiOn was given that his
Government would readily meet advances frum |
Others on the subject. 1t is proposed to hold an
other Convention ut Paris in the ensuing month |
of August, 10 which delegations are invited from
all civilized nations.
We would now appeal to American citizens of .
every class. party and denomination. TO encourage
and aid US, zealously and unitedly in this truly
beneficial work. We believe we offer n scheme
by which the burdens, horrors and crimes of war
may be forever precluded and a state Of univer-
sal friendship and prosperity be introduced, cores
pondent TO the advance Of the age in science and
civilization. We appeal TO the humanity Of Phi
lanthropists; for the practice of war is more de-
structive of life, comfort liberty and virtue than
all the other corrupt customs Of the work. COM
bined. We appeal to the pieiy of Christians for
the wide diffusion of the love of God and man
enoined in the Gospel finds its greatest obsfruc-
ton in war and martial preparations. We appeal
to the patriotism Of Ciuzens for we would that
our country should have the glory, in all future
ages. of leading in this enterprise of universal .
paciication to Which it is pledged by its past
rency in the cause its constant pacific professions
and the freedom of its institutions. We also ap- Z
peal to the interests of commerce and the policy
Of Political Economists that the enormous sums ,
IF money, hitherto wasted in war, may be en-
,etence 10 its inhabitants.
Is it asked how can unconnected individuals c
1--WE us the aid we solicit We reply; by eircu- Z
ating this and our other communications by So
ial conversation and persuasion by participation
n public meetings for this purpose; by petitions to
and by acquainting US with persons 8
rho are qualified, and willing TO proceed our Il
Delegates to Europe. And would intimate TO
he friends Of peace, who may be blessed with I
-ealth but not with the leisure for personal SER il
ice, shat pecuniary contributions to defTay ex- r
enses, are necessary in this, as in other beneyo-
mt movements. Believing that our labors are d
IT the good of the whole community. we
ust that. the magnanimity of the afluent
i'll not permit them 10 be given at great sacrif- r.
IS to ourselves and that we shall receive from :.
lem cheerful and sufficient voluntary contribu-
ons. p'
In any Of the modes now pointed ont ali who On
d or cooperate with US. will become trnly and
fciently . Peace makers" and such, will re-
i've from the Prince of Peace the aPpellation of
The Children of God" Y
ebert Watersfon, Ezra 5. Gannett, =,
radford Sumner AInasa Walker, r