Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-12
ATTITUDE OF THE PEACE SOCIETY.

Eaul2ed November 18th, 1893, as branch
OF the Universal Puace Uniun. The
constitution declares that the objects
of this society shall he to iiscoun
tenance all resorts TO deadly force no
tween individuals, States or nations;
never acquieHciug in present wrongs.
To encourage moral Efforts for the i'm
meuiats and unconditional abolition Of
war 1t will use all etfectual means of
reasun and moral appeals to convince
the people that war ie a crime, and its
immediate abandonment is alike an
imperative duty and the wisest ex-
pedtsncy. Az this first meeting reso-
lutions we're adopted and memorial
sent to the President aud Congress-.
These resolutions and memorial define
our society's standing on the Cuban
war question The memorial says:
deeply moved by the sad condition
OF affairs in ana about the island of
Cuba, and sympathiaine us we do with
all people who are suffering from such
horrors as always attend state of war;
deplorinR also the sorrcws and distress
that must ensue IN Cuba and Spain,
or in any land as tho inevitable result
OF war therefore, we do must earnestly
hoseech the Congress Of the United
States to marguerite peaceful measures,
ami sand ambassadors of neacs to those
nov engaged in bloody warfare, 10 and
with reference TO tho islRnd Of Cuba,
to use their utmost ondoavors. bucked
by tho sanction Of this government,
aud necoDded If neea ia by the con
current conciliatory Offices Of otnur
Christian nations; to compose hy
peaceful consultation, and arbitrament,
the existing dispute. "
These are the principles and this the
action Tin part taken at the inaugu-
ration OF our society and it's records
snow that all its actions ami resolutions,
since that time, hnve hesn consistent
with this heginning of its work. On
tne 18th Of February, 1896, tho society
took earnest action in favor of a treaty
to establish arbitration as the method
OF concluding all differences between
the United States and Great Britain.
On the goth OF April, 1896. the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously
adopted "That We approve OF the
action of President Cleveland and
Secretary Olnsy in Offering to mediate
between the government of Spaiu and
the insurGent party in Cuba; assuring
Spain of the kindost motives on the
part of the United Sta.en 10 seeking to
bring about pacific condition of
affairs in Cuba, and urging that the
good oitices of this cnuntry be accepted
in the spirit proifsrsd. i"
II Spain had but accepted this kind
ard friendly offer how many hundreds
OF precious lives and millions of
treasures it would have saved that I'M
happy country.
Az tina same meeting the following
resolution was also unanimously adopt.
Ell:
Resolved, That we cannot but feel
that the liberty aud prosperity of our
loveu country are in danger froul the
spirit of militarism manifested in the
Increased appropriations for war in
time OF peace, and in the introduction
of war tactiua into nur public schools
and church organizations. -
At our annual meeting, November
10th, 1896. these resolutions and others
were unanimously adopted and directed
to be publisheri:
Resolved. That we approve OF the
continuance OF non intervert ion by our
government b1tween Spain and Cuba
except in the offer OF peaceful mediation
already made.
Resolved, That we believe our mem
bers and all pence loving citizens have
great cause for encouragement to per-
severe In their efforts to remove the
causes and abolish the customs OF war,
ana to live the conditions of peace, TO
heed the advice OF the immortal Wash
ington; Observe good faith and Justice
toward all nations. cultivate peace and
harmony with all. >"
AT our last annual meeting held De-
cember 15th, 1897. the following was
approved:
AT this our last annual meeting We
unanimously adopted the following
resolutions: 1t was unanimously agreed
and directed that they be sent to Presi-
dent Mckinley. They were sent and
their receipt kindly acknowledged by
him.
That our object is to discount enance
all resorts to deadly force, to encourage
moral efforts for the unconditional
abolition of war, and the establishment
OF permanent peace. to accomplish which
ends we will employ popular con
ventions, appeals, petitions, lectures,
the presa AMI the pulpit. to convince
the people that war is a crime ana
opposed to the best interests OF man
kind.
''That a system OF arbitration,
mediation and Cancellation should
exist in business in government and in
national and international tribunals, TO
take the place OF the military. That
peace departments should supercede
war departments. We believe the ia ilure
of the United States Senate 10 ratify
By two third vote the Anglo a merican
arbitration treaty, (said treaty having
been adopted by Great Brittany was a
great mistake, but inasmuch as it re-
ceivsd the endorsement of large ma
jority of the United States Senate and
Of the American people, we feel en-
coursged to believe that treaty of the
kind will yet he contaminated not only
between this country and Great
Britain, but between all enlightened
nations.
Mckinley upon the noble stand taken
in his inaugural address, in favor of
said treaty of arbitration and for peace
also for those noble words in that adj
dress: We want no wars of conquest !;
We must avoid the temptation of TOR
ritorial aggressiou; war should never
be entered unun until every agency OF
peace has failed. Peace ia preferable
to war in almost every emergency.
Arbitration is tile true method of
settlement of International as well as
local or individual differences. We
are gratified by the general trend OF
the late message, DeCsmbar 9th. be-
ginning with the assurance that peace
and good will with all the nations OF
the earth continue unhroken. We
hereby endorse and agree with him
heartily when he says: Events have