The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-05-20

) already well-nigh crushing burdens, b,
increasing their preparations for war
Whatever the policy of other power
may be, let it be understood, the worlt
over, that ours is peace
! By reference to the register of tn
Department of State, we find that ou
| government, to its honor be it said, ha.
been party in twenty-four instances O.
| arbitration, and many of them have beer
cases of much complication and difficulty
The first upon the list was as early al
November Is. 1894, under the treaty 0
amity between the United States anC
| Great Britain; and the last as recent al
October 6, 1873. Also, twelve commits
i sioners of tribunals, not international in
their character, have been organized un
der United States laws (but in accord
ance with provisions of treaties) for ad
.iusting upon claims Still further, oul
| government has set the example of in.
cooperating into treaties the principle Of
arbitration. The treaty of peace with
Mexico called the treaty of Gaudaloupe
| Hidalgo, negotiated by President Polk
administration, contains the important
declaration that if, unhappily, any disa
greement should arise between the two
countries, they promise each other they
will use every endeavor to peacefully set
tie their differences. They pledge them
selves not to resort to reprisals, aggres-
sion or hostility of any kind, but en-
that their differences shall be settled by
the arbitration of commissions appointed
on each side, or by that of friendly
nation.
We trust the day is not distant when
such provision will be incorporated
into our treaties with all nations and
will be engrafted permanently upon our
foreign policy.
And this year IN our numerous cere-
monies and celebrations commemorative
of the birth of the nation, let US dis
tinctly recognize the important idea that
the policy of the United States is peace
While we pay due honor to the heroes
who sealed their devotion to liberty
with their hearts blood, let us not be
understood as glorifying war. To do our
duty in war when it is forced upon US is
one thing. To seek war or delight in it,
or uphold the present barbarous war
system of the nations, is quite another
thing.
And we must not make the mistake of
supposing our government originated in
war and Violence. DR.. Harris, the able
Professor of Theology at New Haven,
in his recent book, "The Kingdom of
Christ on Earth" has some observations
upon this point that are especially
worthy of attention during these cen
tennial times. He says:
Because our own government was
founded in a revolution, we are in dan
ger of associating a revolution with
glory, of thinking that the overturn of
what has been established is in itself
progress to something better But the
American Revolution scarcely was a rev.
olution in the proper sense of the term
1t perpetuated the principles, and, with
little change, the form of government to
which the colonies had been accustomed.
1t only separated them from distant
nation. 1t only accelerated an epoch
which was coming as the inevitable re-
suit of growth, only shaking the tree to
hasten the fall of the ripened fruit. The
benefits accruing are not the result of the |
revolution, but come in spite of the evils
Of revolutionary violence, because the |
change effected was the natural result of |
healthy growth. The immense majority |
Of revolutions attempted by violence |
have been failures, and have hindered |
rather than helped the progress of So
,iety."
Let this fact have its deserved promi-
hence in our thoughts and speeches and |
writings. Let it not be said of US truly,
hat because the old feudal nations fol
owed war, and have written war all over
heir history, we take a notion that we,
hough we are not feudal nation, must
epeat that history. Let US remember
'ur destiny is nobler and mightier far
han war. Among the papers of the late
senator Sumner, found after his death,
5 one, the concluding paragraph of
7hich should be pondered by all our
ulers and all our people. 1t is as fol-
ows:
"Our country needs no such ally as
Tar. Its destiny is mightier than war.
through peace it will have everything.
his is our talisman. Give us peace,
nd population will increase beyond all
Experience; resources of all kinds will
lultiply infinitely; arts will embellish
le land with immortal beauty; the
anne of Republic will be exalted, until
very neighbor yielding to the irresisti- .
lie attraction seeks new life in becoming
art of the great whole; and the ma
onal example will become more puis-
mt than army or navy for the conquest |
the world" /
Our manifest destiny as a nation is to c
lustrate the blessings and glories of a I
ue civilization of liberty and peace at +
ONE, and so to shape our foreign policy
to promote liberty and peace among S
i nations Let us hail this centennial
ear as an occasion to extend the hand
fellowship to all the nations. Ameri- $
!, by its geographical position, the high b
ay of the commerce and travel of the
orld, would seem to be chosen as the
ediator among the nations. Let cur II
,untry with gratitude accept this sub a
me mission and win the glory of its ac- "
I