, 1861-02-07
THE PEACE SOCIETY.

; We have been favored with circular
from this worthy organization, in which
the advantages Of Peace and the disadvan-
tagcs Of War are set forth in the usual way.
The arguments are addressed to the oppo-
sing and threatening forces Of both Europe
and America They arc Of the old lash
ioned sort, to-wit: You, a1r: Fighting Man.
cannot make your position any more right,
your cause any more just, by shooting the
other fighting man. You may whip him
but you cannot change his opinions. You
may kill hi=., or he rnny kill you, but the
immutablc principles Of divine justice arc
not altered By. any amount Of bloodshed.
Bullets and bombs do not make the wrong
right-they do not make the right any
more right Therefore throw down your
shooting irons and 60 about some decent
ayocaion.
). Now we have no quarrel with the Peace
Society-of course NOT. But let us put .
case to its most even-tempc1ed and unwar-
like member. Suppose that man knocks
you down and takes away your purse
what them. Why the law must arrest him
and send him to the penitentiary. But do
you not thus pass your just cause of quarrel
with that brigand over to the law? And
docs not the law make tcar on him?. Docs
not the law, in this case violate the first
maxim of The Peace Society? It is true
that he commenced the war. He was the
aggressor and the Law: was the defender
lie cared nothing for the maxims Of the
Peace Society, OF the injunctions Of tho
gospel-hc defcd them both. Heinitiated
a war, and society joined issue with him
and fought him into jail; thus depriving
the world Of his usefulness and blighting
Ills fond hopes Of prosperity. You reply
that your arguments were addressed to
hina as we'll as to all others. Very true,
but he would not heed them. This brings
It's back TO the point where the argument
ought to have started; and we ask what is
to be done to those who violate the law
and make war In the first instance? ftllc
world were right-if nations were always
guided by the preccpts Of the Sayiour-thc
arguments of the Peace Society would be
convincing and imperative. Indeed, man-
kind would be one vast Peace Society.
There would be no war Of defense, because
there would lie no war Of aggression. But
until this millennium shall come, the appeals
Of the Peace Society are altogether worth
less, if not improper. "First pure, then
peaccable," is the apostolic command.
Teach men to be just before you teacl,
them to unlearn war. In this age, as III
former ages, the cannon is the best peace
maker, because it makes peace quickes:
and maintains it longest. The law is val
ueless unless the law is armed, and tho
presumption which exists in all civilized
countries is that the law has more guns at
its command than all its enemies can send
against it..
EzThe application Of these principles to the
existing state Of affairs in our country il
simple and evident: The United States
have been both assaulted and robbed,
Their unarmed vessels have been fired into
their forts and arsenals have been pi.1age6,
their money has been stolen War has
been levied against them. Theyact onthc
defensive, or to speak within the facts,
thty should SO act. A figure-head happens
| for Tie moment TO be their President, and
so they do not act at all. Mr. Buchanan,
seems to have derived his notions OF gov.
ernment from the Peace Society, and the
result is exactly what might have been cx
pectcd,- He has allowed q miserable rebel
lion to grow to the very verge Of an enor
NOUS wal by being so very peaceful in tht
beginning-by neglecting to crush it will
strong arm in the outset