Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-30
The Peace society on the war.

The thirty-third annual meeting st ]
Amerisg,p Ron. Amasa Walker, one Of the
vice presidents, presiding. The members
who have deceased during the past year are
Judge White of Salem, cIassmate in college
with one OF the society's earliest friends, VIM.
Ladd Rev. Charles Lowell, d. D., of Bos.
| ton for a long time a vice president; and Rev.
| John Woods of Fitzwilliam. The leading
topic of discussion was, of course how to deal
with the war question. The directors say
they stand in an unexpected position-face TO
face with a rebellion. They are asked what
course shall be pursued The answer is,
under the peace system such evils could never
occur. They would have every peace man
stand by the government in every way consis-
tent with his peace principles. 1t is not TOR
the society TO say what shall be done with
traitors that is the business of government
Elihu Burritt spoke of the chief aim of the
society-to bring about arbitration between
sovereign powers who stand on an equal foot
ing as nations but he was free to say, the So
ciety had no specific to meet the case when a
| rebellion existed. Government must exercise
its authority. Rev DIR. Gannett wanted to
know if the society was ready to stand by its
peace principles, II not, we had better separ-
pies of Jesus at this time He was not ready
10 say he was a Understandable didn't know
where he was. daughter
Mr.. Lewis Tappan of New York said he
was not satisfied with the phase presented by
the Peace Society in its relation to national at
fairs at present Human lives, precious as
they are, are nothing compared with the price.
less inheritancs OF our tathers-liberty /; and
we must preserve this at all hazards. He was
glad this hour had come. Said he, shall we
calmly give up the contest and thus perpetu
ate human bondage, and permit the slave trade
to be opened (Cries OF mo, never.") But
what shall we do 10 put down this gigantic re.
beion +! Shall we send forth a thousand con
stables with their slaves OF Office and in the
spirit of William Penn? Shall we suppress
this rebellion by means of grand national
police We must do it any cost ; we must
defend the country, and do it, too, as disciples
of Christ.
The speaker said he could not find in any
treatise peace, or in the Bible itself,
any specific rule to guide him in this crisis,
and like the preceding speaker-essentially
peace man-he did not know what to do.
A short time since a Quaker solicited con-
tribution of him TO buy pistol for a volun-
teer he at first refused, because he was
member of the Peace Society, but on
second thought, gave sum for the
purpose, on the principle that he loved
the southerners, and he could testify that love
for them in no better way than to send fire.
arms to crush direful rebellion. For, said he,
/ can never see the palmetto flag waving from
the Boston State House and If it did, like
Col. Ellsworth. should cut it down, and be
cut down myself. (Applause.) He could not
agree with the first. For five and twenty
years have the south been plotting this, and
their motto is rule and ruin" The election
OF Mr.. Lincoln was merely pretext for this
outbreak. Will christian men and peace men
OF the north allow the southern flag to wave
over their churches ard school houses (Cries
of "never.") He would deprecate war in the
severest terms, and lay down his life for peace
but he could not see the way for literal ap.
plication OF the peace rule indeed, he did not
find that Dimond the apostle of peace, enjon.
ed literal application He considered Abraham
Lincoln as good peace man. loud APP
plause.) For one he never could consent to
see JEFF. Davis in power of this country. No,
he would die first. (Applause.)
Rev. Mr.. Angler thought that Mr.. Tappan
had strucS the key note. He had felt sorely
perplexed in the matter at FIRST but viewing
it in every light, he could term it nothing but
an abominabe and outrageous rebellion. A
united north has arisen to put down this abom
Unable rebellion, and they virtually do it as a
peace measure. He did not want any milk
'and-water sentiments to 60 out from this meet
ing. He had looked ag his duty as peace
man, and, as a minister of the gospel, he was
reauy TO take up arms for the government
nc presr!ng officer, Hon, Amlsa Walker,
hVPeu Tue president would close tile war when
| y was necessary, and not sooner lie was
GLAD Massachusetts stood where she did: and
that she had the opportunity Of being re-bap-