The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-16

The following resolutions we're sub
mitted by MIR. Sampson, and after dis
c%ussion, were severally adopted
/. Resolved, That the cause of peace
Is one Of primary Importance tothe prog
rcss Of Christianity in our times.
z Resolved, That this cause is wor-
thy Of the devotion Of the greatest
minds and noblcst hearts Of the age in
which we live,
3 Resolved, That this cause has hith
erto received FROM Christians far less
attention and support than its impor
tance demands.
a. Resolved. That. with the present
light on the subject. no Christian can be
guiltless in treating the cause of peace
with indifference or neglect
). Resolved That so long as the prom
Use of God on this subject and the ind
cations Of His providence are so favora
BILE, We have every encouragement to
prosecute this enterprise with redoublcd
diligence and vigor
s. Resolved. That war is a pre-emi-
nently wicked and anti-republican Gus
tom, as it not only produces incalcula-
BILE misery, but reduces its agents to
mere machines.
The following resolution was introduc
ed by the Rev. Mr.. Hand, and passed
unanimously
Resolved, That VIC respectfully, yet
earnestly solicit the Jealous co operation
of Christian ministers in accomplishing
the objects of this Convention.
The following address and resolutions
were hen presented by the business
committee, which, after an extended dis
c%ussion, were unanimously adopted as
the sense of the Convention
ADDRESS
1t requires no extended argument to
prove the propriety, and indeed n%ecessi.
ty, of such a movement as this. Every
thin king man, on the very first view OF
the case, must acknowledge, that wal
never can be the means of establishing
justice on the earth and that the prin.
ciplcs on which it is conducted are Who'll
ly repugnant to the Christian religion
and in direct opposition both to the let
ter aud spirit of its precepts.
We will therefore simply observe OF
this head that any individual who should
attempt to carryuinto practice the prin
ciples upon which governments habitu
ally settle their differences, would quick
ly find himself the inmate of n p%eniten
tiary or hospital for lunatics-and why
should it be otherwise in relation to gov
ernmcnts Can the mere difference o
the numbers engaged in a measure il
any manner affect its justice or its pro
pricty If it be wrong for one man t.
seize by the strong hand, eau it be RICH
for two for twenty ? for two thou
sand ? for two millions If it be for
hidden to a town or to a State to seize b
open force what they may consider thei
right, why should a nation be permitted
to do so
The only plausible reason that ca
be alleged for such a strange Irregular
ty on the part of independent nations j
the want Of tribunal properly author
zed to act definitely i'll the premises
Now this want is precisely what we dc
sire to supply. Our object is so to &C
on our COVE rnment, as TO sinduce it t
take initiatory steps for tie erection q
such a tribunal. by instructing all on
ministers abroad to make a propositio
of this nature to the governments b
which they are accredited and to urg
the measure upon them at every suitabl
opportunity.
But bow shall a desirable consumm;
ton like this be achieved 2 How shal
our people, scattered over so vast a lcI
%ritorv. be brought to unite together j
the demand of so valuable a boon fror
our public servants at Washington ? t
speak with such force aud in such nun
bers as to compel attention TO their re
quests ? The question may be a diff
cult ono, and it may not be possible t
present Il solution that will be perfect
satisfactory, But We viii offer the hes
We have been able to devise
We cannot for a moment doubt tina
a vast majority of our people are nttei
~ opposed to war and would hearth.
rejoice to find au opportunity If jouu,
in a memorial seeking its ab'iiio.
We fully believe that ali THAI IS EGGS
sary to secure their concurrence IS. tina
such a paper should be presented {
them. To accomplish this Therefore
we propose
/. That an agent be employed t
traverse the State, from north to south
on both sides of the mountains, in orde
to find suitable persons who will not on
" undertake thoroughly to canvass sue
towns az he may pass through, but ais
to adopt measures for the circulation 0
the memorial in those towns east an,
west of his route which he may not b,
able to visit.
IL That the Corresponding Secre
tary of the Convention open a CORES
pondence with gentlemen in other part
of the Union, who may be thought mos
likely to sustain and forward the meas
urc in their respective States, and, be
sides requesting their active aid, pre-
cure from them lists of such other infu
entail men as they may think likely t
take all active interest in the measure
III. That a large number of memo
rails should be printed, so as to furnisl
at least two or three for each town IL
Vermont, and also for distribution
through the other States.
~. That some n gentleman b
appointed in each State, who will receiv
all the memorials in his respective State
unite them into one, and forward it t
/, Washington as the State Memorial.
V. That each of the State govern
ments be invoked to sanction and al,