The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-04-13

+ ~ tas 1ererHmsnfs Of EWeps sAa .imsnes.
In the month Of September last, Con.
gress, was held in the city Of Brussels,
whose great object was to promote and Sc.
cure permanent peace among the civilized
nations OF the world, by finding, il possible
an efficient substitute for the bloody, un.
certain, and costly arbitrament of war.
The Congress was composed Of numerous
individuals, living under diverse forms Of
government and entertaining ditieren, poli,.
cal opinions and religious con, lotions, but
drawn together By common sentiment,
OF humanity, and an arden, desire TO pro-
mote the welfare of mankind by removing
the causes and incentives TO war.
The eminent position which you occupy
IN the council, of the nations Of Europe
and America, induces the Congress, of
which We are the representatives., TO sub.
mi 10 your serious consideration, the
great and important questions which form.
ed the subject of their anxious delibela.
tons; and respectfully, We, earnestly, to
invite your attention TO the conclusions al
which they arrived. They will be found
embodied IN the following resolutions -
LIST. That, in the judgment of this Con.
gress, an appeal to arms for the purpose of
deciding disputes among nations, is a Gus.
tom condemned alike by religion, reason,
justice, humanity, and the hest interests of
the people and lha, therefore, i, consid.
eTs II 10 be the duty df the civilized world
TO adop, measures calculated 10 effect its
entire abolition.
! End. That it is Of the hi.hes, impor.
lance TO urge on thu 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 amcable man.
ner, and according TO the rules of Justice
and equiiy-sPeclai aibiiIaiors, or su.
prema International Court, TO be vested
with power to decide in cases of NECESSITY
as a last resort.
81. Tha, the speedy convoca,ion Of
Congress. Of Nations. composed of duly ap
pninied representatives, for the purpose Of
framing well.dIgesled and authoritative
International Code, is Of the greatest i'm.
P7i;ance. inasmuch as the organic ltion Of
such body, and the unanimous ad ,plion
Of such Code, would be an eticctua
means of promoting universal pc.cc.
4th. Tha. this Congress respectfully
calls the attention Of civilized Governments
TO the necessity Of a general and emu,a
neous disarmament, as means whereby
they miy greatly diminish the financial
burlhens which press upon them remove
fertile cause Of irritation, and nquietuJc
inspire mutual confidence and promote
The interchange of good Offices, which
sh'ie they adva7ce the Interest. Of each
state IN particular. contribute largely TO
the maintenance Of general peace, and TO
the 'asi!ng prosperity Of nations.
These substitutes for war adopted by the
Congress, require no arguments 10 en-.
force them, for Il is evident that If they be .
adopleI and applied, tina, terrible scourge
Of humanity will cease TO rfflct and De.
grade tie na.iaGs.
Few, if any, OF the wars, Which, for
centuries past, have desoleted The esrlh,
can be justified on the ground Of equity, I
utility, or necessity; nor can any one Of
them be cred whose fearful resll,s are dot
ioail condemned by the voice Of Human.
lly and Religion. The war..pifi. Of past
generations has loaded most, il not all civ.
IL d mai, NJ, with enormous debts, para.
!! z;d their industry, Interrupted their com.
rherce, retarded the progress Of science,
literature, and arr, and created spirit Of
jealousy and animosliy among The nations
which long years of peace have not been
able completely 20 subdue.
E1Topn, at this moment, presents the
melancholy spectsbe Of an earned peace"
Her mighty leginns are ready to take the
field and it is feared that under these
melancholy circumstances. a single spark
from the torch Of uar mag wrap the world
10 flames. may God avert SO terrible a
catastrophe
The great questions OF Peace and War
are confiied 10 the hands Of those TO whom
The government Of the nations has been
entrusted. Their responsibility is as great
rs their power; and while the Congress
"NSi" SP' HN'ify P'oy 'has hc oOu vi
Peace" may deign TO preside over their
councils, it would implorc them, in Tho
name o. the dearest Interests Of humanity, .
-lsllizii'on and religion, promptly to adopt
The mos effective measures for preventing
a return Of the horrors Of war, and for so.
curing 10 all na:ions the blessings Of solid
und lasting peace.
The substitution Of arbitration or war
would be an immense sep towards this OBJ
ect the principle, aud tho means for Civ.
NJ II EFFECT might be embodied IN special
feates, bu, the progress of sound political {
opinions leads still farther. The congen. '
ng Of Congress, composed Of the most
Enlightened ard eminent men of all coun.
RES, for the purpose Of framing an inter.
ll'lonai code, which shall place The reIa. c
ions between the diGereDt nations on 9
oi.d and IN slbe basis and the insliu.
oGnfa iiish curt Of Nations for the fnaI
al t..f.