The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-03
THE BEAUTY OF PEACE.
G.. IL.
by l.. MARIA CHILD.
Power itself has not half the might
Ot Gcutieness. '-Lsigh Hlon.


Power itselfhas not ha II the might
ot GeHtieness."-isishI HUT
Men listen more coldly TO the advocacy of
peace principles than to other wise words Few,
protesting 10 believe the Christian Religion,
venture to deny their truth, while at the same
time all agree in giving them sort of moon
light reputation, will-o' the-wisp foundation,
as beautiful but mpracticable theories. can
not help feeling a strong hope, amounting to
faiih that the world will be at last redeemed
from the frightful vortex Of sin and misery in
which it has been drawn by the prevailing law
of Force. And surely tbs mission worth liv-
ing for. that the Christian doctrine of overcom-
ing evil with good, is not merely beautiful
sentiment, as becoming to the religious soul as
pearls to the maiden's bosom, but that it is real
ly the highest reason, the brTlvest manhness, the
most comprehensive philosophy, the wisest po-
Gtical economy.
The amount Of proof that 1t is so, seems
abundant enough TO warrant the belief that a
practical adoption of peace principles would be
ditcdyS safe, even with the most savage men,
and under the most desperate circumstances,
provided there was a chance 10 have it distinct
1y understood, that such a course was not based
ON cOwardice, but on principle
When Captain Back went to the Polar Re
xioss IN search of Captain Ross, he fell in with
a band of Esquimaux, who had never seen a
white man. The chief raised his spear to hurl
II at the strangers head but when Captain
Back approached, calmly and unarmed, the spear
dropped. and the rude Savage gladly welcomed
1he brother man who had trusted in him. Had
Captain Back adopted the usual maxim that it
IS necessary to carry arms in such emergencies.
he would probably have occasioned his own
death, and that of his own companions
Raymond, IN has travels, saws: 4" The assassin
has been my guide in the defiles of Italy, the
smuggler of the Pyrenees has received me with
a welcome in his secret paths. Armed, / should
have been the enemy of both unarmed, they
have alike respected me. In such expectation,
1 have long since laid aside all menacing appa-
ratus whatever. Arms may indeed be employed
against wild beasts but men should never for
get that they are no defence against the traitor
They may irritate the wicked, and intimidate
the simple The man of peace has a much
more sacred defence-his character"
Perhaps the severest test to which the peace
principles were ever put, was in Ireland during
the memorable rebellion of 1856 During the
terrible conflict, the Irish Quakers were con
tinualy between two fires. The Protestant
party viewed them with suspicion and dislike
because they refused to fight or pay military
taxes; and the fierce multitude Of insurgents
deemed 1t sufficient cause for death. that they
would neither profess belief in the Catholic re
hgion nor help to fight for Irish freedom. Vic
tory alternated between the two contending mar
ties; and, rs usual in civil war; the victors made
almost indiseriminate havoc of those whod did moi
march undertheir banners. Ii was perilous time
for all men but the Quakers alone were liable
10 a raking Ere from both sides. Foreseeino
calamity, they had DESTROYED all their guns and
other weapons used for game. But this pledge
of pacific intentions not sufficient to satisfy
the Government which required warlike as
sistanee at their hands. Threats and insults
were heaped upon them from all quarters; but
they steadfastly adhered TO their resolution O
doing good TO both parties, and harm to nei
Their. Their houses were filled with widows anC
orphans, with the sick, the wounded, and the
dying, belonging both to the loyalists and tn,
rebels. Sometimes, when the Catholic soldiers
were victorious, they would be greatly enraget
to find Quaker houses filled with Protestan
families. They would point their pistols at thei
enemies, and threatened, if they were not i'm
mediately turned into the street, to be massa
cred. But the pistol dropped, when the Chris
tan mildly replied, Friend, do what thou wilt
/ viii not harm thee, nor any other human be
ing" Not even amid the savage ferceness O
civil war, could men fire at one who spoke such
words as these. They saw that this was no
cowardice, but bravery much higher than thei
own.
On one occasion, an insurgent threatened t.
burn down a Quaker house, unless the owner
expelled the Protestant women and children
who had taken refuge there. i cannot heir
It," replied the Friend. so long as have 8
house, will keep it open to succor the helpless
and distressed whether they belong to thy ranks
or to those of thine enemies. If my house is
burned, i must be turned out with them, and
share their affection The fighter turned
away, and did the Christian no harm.
The Protestant party seized the Quaker