The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-10-07
PERPETUAL PEACE with ENGLAND


PEACE with ENGLAND.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE TO SECURE 1T!
1t clearly rests with the people Of this |
country to say whether there shall be in
corporated in the treaty pending between US
and England a provision for the adjustment
of all their future difficulties by arbitration
instead of the sword. The British government,
though not disposed to take the initiative,
is ready to accept such proposal from us;
and our executive, if fully persuaded that the
mass of our people desire it, will not hesitate
long if at all, to propose the measure.
On this point, we are bound to give our
rulers the most ample assurance. The pres-
dent, as the peoples cheif servant, can be
expected to move in such a matter only in
accordance with their known or supposed
wishes; and hence, if they really desire him
to take this important step, they ought, as
body, to say so, in ways that shall leave no
possible doubt. The whole people, without
distinction ofparty or section, should lift their
voice to him in earnest entreaty for this
great measure of peace. 1t is an object com
mon to them all; movement that knows no
North or South no East or Vest question
which no issues of party, sect, or section. can
possibly be made. 1t is measure strictly
national in every one of its aspects and
bearings. All parts of the country need it;
and we ought to satisy our rulers that the
people, as a body desire it, and will heartily
applaud the men who shall secure them SO
rich and lasting boon.
For this purpose, then, we want general
expression of the popular will, not only
through our leading papers, but especially in
| the form Of petitions to the president from
all parts of the land, large State memorial
from every State in the Union. How shall
this be done! We can ourselves send forth
few, if any agents for the work; and hence it
must be done, if at all, by the spontaneous
efforts OF the friends of peace. We shall
send printed forms of petitions to ministers
of the gospel, with the request that every
one of them will first preach sermon upon
peace, TO awaken the requisite interest, then
appoint persons to procure signatures in his
own congregation, ifnot throughout the place,
and, when all are obtained, forward them to
the person designated in each State to
receive the names, and unite them in one
grand State memorial
Seldom, if ever, has there been an op-
portunity to accomplish so much for the
cause of peace, by a single vigorous effort;
and, wherever proposed, it has thus far been
received byshe wise and good with every
mark of special favor. All the ecclesiastica
bodies before which it could be brought on
so short notice, have promptly passed, with
entire unianimity in every case, resolutions
warmly commenting the movement to the
christian community. or these we can give
only part of one or two specimens.
The General Association of Congregations
Ministers in Connecticut, recently adopted
the following resolutions among others:
Resolved, That we fully approve and CON-
mend to the favor and support of the ministers
and churches within our limits, the specia
efforts now proposed by the friends of peace
to procure the speedy adoption, by our own
and the British government, of a provision
for the settlement of all future misunderstan-
dngs by arbitration as the last resort, instead
of the sword.
The Convention of Congregational and
Presbyterian Ministers in Vermont, as part
of their recent action en- the subject,
say:
"Whereas, the effort contemplates the
removal of the terrible scourge war, is de-
manded by the cause Of humanity, and i:
vtally connected with the interests of free
dom, and the extension of the gospel among
the nations, therefore.
| ,,n1n That h, cn,
prayers, and by all reasonable efforts, we will
as clergymen and laymen, contribute ou
influence to give effect to the noble enterprise
contemplated.
"Whereas, the subject vitality interests al
the inhabitants of our country, even TO it:
utmost borders,
"ReSolped, That we respectfully request
each of the ecclesiastical bodies with which
we hold correspondence, to act on this vastly
important subject"
Now, is there any need Of further argument
! from us to enforce the claims Of such an
object upon any friend of God or man! II
will indeed require a special effort, but, il
successful, its results will reward US even in
this life, ten thousand times over. For a
similar movement our co-workers in England
have lately raised $4,000, six men subscribing
each $4,000. We send forth this appeal not
to ask for contributions, though we deeply
need them, and should very thankfully receive
them; but just to solicit in oil earnestness
your prompt, spontaneous CO operation in
this labor of peace and love, articles from
the pen Of writers for the press, sermons
4 from ministers Of the gospel and personal
efforts from laymen in procuring signatures
to the petitions. Millions should unite in
these petitions to our chief magistrate, asking
him to do deed that will endear his name
to all future generations. We cannot well
express our own conceptions Of the impor-
tance Of this measure, but we verify believe
its full success would draw after it, in the
long train OF coming ages, results more i'm
portant to our country, to christendom, and
the world, than the whole amount of good
that has yet been accomplished by all :he
united enterprise of christian benevolence
and reform during the last fifty years.