Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-08
CARDINALS FOR PEACE.
an Appeal to the Nations Tint speak
English.
Baltimore Sun-April 6th)

-hRif NN--'f
Cardinals Gibbons, OF the United States
L,ogue, of Ireland. and Vaughan. OF
England, have been in correspondence
for some time in reference to advocating
the establishment of a permanent tribu-
nal of arbitration. The result OF the
correspondence is an appeal to the Eng
disappearing people, which was given
out for publication by Cardinal GIBBONS
in Baltimore yesterday. Easter-Sunday
being selected as the most appropriate
day for this purpose. The appeal Is as
follows:
IAN appeal by the American, Irish.
and English cardinals i'm behalf OF per-
manent tribunal of arbitration:
1--WE the undersigned cardinals, repre-
sentatives OF the Prince Of Peace and OF
the Catholic Church in our respective
countries. invite all who hear our voice
10 co-operate I'm the formation OF pub
lie opinion. which shall demand the es-
tablishment of a permanent tribunal or
arbitration as rational substitute
among the English-speaking races for
resort TO the bloody arbitrament or war.
eve are we'll aware that such a pro-
iect is beset with practical difficulties.
we believe that they will not prove to
he insuperable. II the desire to overcome
them be genuine and general. such
court existed for centuries, when the
nations OF Christendom were united In
one faith. And have we not Seen ma
tions appeal To that same court Tor lts
judgment in our own day?
THE establishment OF permanent tri-
bunal composed. may be, OF trusted
representatives of each sovereign nation
with power TO nominate judges and UNI
pires, according TO the nature or the dit-
ferences that arise. and a common ac-
ceptance OF general principles defining
and limiting the jurisdiction and SUBJECT
matter OF such a tribunal would create
new guarantees for peace that could
not fan TO influence the whole or Chris
tendon
"Such an international court OF arbi-
tratlon would form a second line or de-
fence. TO be called into fequisition only
after the ordinary resources OF diplomacy
had been exhausted 1t would at least
postpone the outbreak OF hostilitles until
reason and common sense had formally
pronounced their last word.
This is a matter OF which the con-
stltution and procedure must be settled
bv governments. But. as governments
are becoming more and more identi-
fed with the aspirations and moulded
by the desires of the people, an appeal
in the first instance must be addressed
to the people. 49,.
eve do not hesitate on our part TO lift
I'D our united voice and proclaim TO all
who are accustomed to hearken TO our
counsels that it is a sign OF divine IN
Auence at work in their midst, when
q
nation; neither shall they be exercised
any more in war isaiah II, ~. for II
was written OF a future time: Come. ye.
and behold the work of the Lord. what
wonders He hath done upon the earth.
making wars TO cease, even to the end
of the earth psalms xiv. 81.
Others may base their appeal upon
motives which touch your worldly In
terests, your prosperity, your world
wide influence and authority In the az
fairs of men. The Catholic Church re-
cognizes the legitimate force OF such mo-
tiyes In the natural order. and blesses
whatever tends TO the real progress and
elevation of the race. But our main
ground of appeal rests upon the known
character and will Of the Prince OF Peace.
the Living Founder the Divine Head or
Christendom. 1t was he who declared
that love for the brotherhood is Sc
cond commandment. like unto the first.
1t was He who announced to the people
the praise and reward of those who seek
after peace and pursue 1t. BLESSED,
said He, are the peacemakers, Tor they
shall be called the children OF God
(AIatthew ", 80
1--WE, therefore, earnestly invite all to
unite with us In pressing their convictions
and desires upon their respective gov
ernments by means of petitions and such
other measures as are constitutional.
(Signed)
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS,
Archbishop of Baltimore.
MICHAEL CARDINAL LOGUE.
Archbishop of Armagh,
"Primate OF All Ireland.
"HERBERT CARDINAL VAUGHAN,
Archbishop Of Westminster.
"Easter-Sunday. 1896"