The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-27
AN ADDRESS
OF the Representatives Of the Relf-
gfous Society of Friends, for Penn
yylvania, New Jersey and Dela-
ware, to Their FellOw.Cttizens on
the Subject of War.

ware, to Their FellOw.Cttizens OH
the Subject OF War.
In -Four Ghapters-Chapter 2.
Chapter. 2. Possessing as the Unit
ed States does, a frontier and sea-cost
thousands of miles in extent, it is ut
terly impossible to so fortify these as
to prevent the ingress of an hostile
force. The millions of money that
can be raised by taxation or by loan,
would be entirely inadequate to effect
this. The expenditure demanded for
such purposes would be limited only
by the endurance of the people; while
there would be constant effort on the
part of those who furnish military
supplies, or contract for military works
to enlarge the area of their operations
by pointing out the insufticiency OF
what has already been provided. AS
often as the pride or fears of the public
could be wrought upon by comparisons
with the military preparations of other
nations, and through skilful appeals to
their passions and prejudicies, Con-
press would be called upon to vote ad-
ditional millions to be sunk in this
fathomless sea of expense. Thus
would our favored country load itself
with heavy burdens such as are now
impovershing the laboring classes OF
Europe, and tempting many of them
to seek relief in visionory and anarch-
ical schemes.
The true strength of the Uuited
States lies not in the extent and per-
fection of its military defences, but in
the virtue, in integrity and intelligence
of its people; in reverent and aoid-
ing sense of accountabilityto the Su-
preme Being; and in a course of con-
duct which is consistent with the
teachings of Christianity.
Does not grateful appreciation OF
the singular favors which have been
bestowed upon our country in the past,
and of which it is still the recipient
loudly call upon it to be an example to
the world at large, not only in the
freedom and justice of its institutions,
but in the peaceable and truly Chris
tian character of its government?
The world has not been left without
an illustration of the practicability of
carrying on government upon purely
Christian principles. In the establish
ment of that of Pennsylvania no pro-
vision was made for the maintenance
of military force, and although Will
\ liam Penn and his coadjutors had to
deal with an untutored and savage
race Of men, yet during the period OF
seventy years in which this Province
was under the control of himself and
those sharing his religious belief, in no
instance was there resort to arms to
settle the claims of either party;
whilst other English colonies who as
sumed that an armed force was neces-
sary for self.protection were involved
in frequent desolating wars with the
native tribes.
The governments Of Great Britain
and the United States, in the treaty
negotiated in order to settle the Ala
bama claims, as we'll as similar adjust
ments by other countries, have nobly
demonstrated to the world that arbi-
tration as a means of settling national
disputes is no longer to be regarded as
visionary, but is all eminently practl-
cal method of averting the horrors OF
war and bloodshed-
We are, however, sorrowfully aware
that should circumstances arise in the
relations of the United States with
foreign powers, whereby the interests
of the people may be involved, their
national pride wounded, and their
passions inflamed, considerations sug-
gested by true patriotism and honor,
or q dread of the horrors of the battle
field would probably prove utterly
unavailing to prevent an appeal to
arms as a settlement of the question at
issue.
Since war is the final result of the
same unbridled passions, which in a
ruder state of society lead to bloody
contests between man and man, the
only effectual preventive of the gigan-
tic evil we have been considering must
: lie in the practical application of the
teachings of Christianity to govern
msnts, as we'll as to individuals. We
believe the religion of our Lord Jesus
Christ to be the Divinely appointed
means, whereby as it is received and
carried out in the affairs of men, the
wrongs and large part of the calami,
ties which now affiict the human race
will be removed; government will be
administered with view to the best
interests of the governed, while the
desolation, sorrow, and suffering insep'
arabic from war will be no longer
possible.
To those who can appreciate the
strong objections to war in any shape,
as viewed from a Christian standpoint
We would especially appeal for the
careful consideration of this subject ir
its various bearings.