The Irish standard., 1896-04-11
LET US HAVE PEACE.
Cardinal Gibbons and Others Plead
for Arbitration.

for Arbitration.
Baltimore, April cardinal Gibbons
yesterday gave out the following appeal
for arbitration instead of war, signed by
himself and Cardinals Vaughn, OF West
minister, and Logue, of Ireland.
The document is the result OF a corre-
spondence upon the subject between Car
dinal Gibbons and his colleagues whose
names are affixed to the appeal. and was
issued on Easter Sunday because Of the
appropriateness of the day.
The appeal is as follows:
An appeal by the American, Irish and
English cardinals IN behalf Of per-
nfanent tribunal Of arbitration:
We, the undersigned cardinals, repre-
sentatives of the Prince of Peace and Of
the Catholic church III our respective
countries, invite all who hear our voice
to cooperate in the formation of pub
lie opinion which shall demand the es-
tablishment Of permanent tribunal OF
arbitration as a rational substitute
among the English-speaking races for
resort to the bloody arbitrament Of war.
We are we'll aware that such project
is beset with practical difficulties. We
believe that they will not prove to be in
superable II the desire to overcome them
be genuine and general. Such a court
existed for centuries, when the nations
of Christians were united in one faith.
And have we not seen nations appeal to
that same court for its judgment in our
day? The establishment Of permanent
tribunal. composed maybe Of trusted rep
- <x,1~ Nxrrs@ tsSs,
with power to nominate; its judges and
umpires according to the nature of the
differences that arise, and a common ac-
ceptance of general principles defining
and limiting the jurisdiction and subject
matter Of such a tribunal would create
guarantees for peace that could not fail
to influence the whole Of Christendom
Such an international court of arbitra-
tion would form second line Of defense
to be called into requisition only after
the ordinary resources of diplomacy had
been exhausted 1t would at least post
pone the outbreak OF hostilities until
reason and common sense had formally
pronounced their last word. This is a
matter Of which the constitution and
procedure must be settled BY govern
ments
But as governments are becoming
more and more identified with the aspi-
rations, and moulded by the desires of
the people, an appeal in the first in
stance must be addressed to the people
We do not hesitate on our part to lift
our united voice and proclaim to all who
are accustomed to harken to our coun-
sells that it is sign Of divine influence
at work in their midst when nation
shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they be exercised any more
in war; Isaiah H., AL; for it is written Of
future time, Come We, 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 XII, 81
Others may base their appeal upon mo-
tives which touch upon worldly interests,
your prosperity your worldwide inf1u-
ence and authority in the affairs Of men.
The Catholic church recognizes the legit-
innate force Of such motives in the natur-
al 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 found
or the divine head of Christendom. It
was he who declared that love for the
brotherhood as a second commandment
| like unto the first 1t was He WHO an
| nounced to the people the praise and
| reward of those who seek after peace
and pursue it. Blessed said He, 'safe
| the peacemakers, for they shall be called
! the children of Cod Matt. v, 81
we. therefore, earnestly invite all tc
| unite with us in pressing their convic-
tions and desires upon their respective
| governments by means Of petitions and
/ such other measures as are constitutions
al (Signed1
/ JAMES, CARDINAL. GIBBONS,
Archbishop OF Baltimore.
MICHAEL. CARDINAL LOGUE,
| Archbishop of Armagh, Primate Of Ire
| land.
HERBERT, CARDINAL VAUGHAN,
Archbishop OF Westminster.