Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
THE PEACE OF NATIONS
MOVE FOR ARBITRATION NEAR
LYA CENTURY AGO.
Society Formed in 1S16-Correspond-
ence of Noah Webster With
Emperor Alexander.

1t is uninterestng, in view of the prog
resS made in the arbitration movement and
the establishment of the world court al
The Hague, to revert to the fact that II
was in this country, nearly century ago
that peace societies took form. The first
of these organizations was the Massachu.
sets Peace Society, founded by DR.. NOAH
Worcester, the photographer, in 1916, about
the time of the announcement of the holy
alliance between Russia, Prussia and Aus
tria. This alliance had for it's object the
preservation of the peace of Europe, and
in it the Emperor Alexander ancestor OF
Gear Nicholas, was the leading spirit. other
European nations joining. This followed
the downfall of Napoleon and America 5
second war with Great Britain.
Under date of April o. 1917, Prof. Worces-
ter, as corresponding secretary of the Mas
sachusetts society, wrote the Emperor
Alexander follows:
THE friendly disposition which you have
manifested in favor of the Christian rel-
gion and the peace of the world has en-
couraged this address. The very week in
which the holy league of the three sover-
eignS was officially announced in Russia a
society was formed in Boston by the name
of the Massachusetts, Peace Society the
object Of which is to disseminate the very
principle av0wed in the wonderful ALI
ance, and to do whatever may lawfully be
done to prevent the recurrence of war, and
to promote peace on earth and good Will
among men.
Il take the liberty to present copy of
all the publications which have been cir
culated by the society. new So
ciety has since been formed in the state
of New York. At least four peace societies
have been organized in the United States
others are about forming. Besides these
we have in our country nearly 1000 con-
gregations of Friends or Quakers, which
l,1y
profession and practice
The Emperor's Reply.
Under date of July 4 following, the empe-
ror answered:
The object which this philanthropic in
stltution has in view, the dissemination of
the principles of peace and amity among
men, meets my cordial appreciation. My
endeavors to promote peace and good will
among the nations are already known and
the power and influence which Almighty
God has committed to me shall ever be en-
ployed, L trust. in striving to secure to the
nations the blessings Of that peace which
they now enjoy
considering the object of your society.
the promotion of peace among mankind. as
enc SO emlnently congenial to the spirit of
the gospel of Jesus Christ, l have judged
IL proper to express these nv sentiments
respecting your labors.''
To Prince Alexander GalitZen president
VI ZIG IeUSSltiIi IolDIS society, letter was
sent at the same time, in which the con-
ncence Inspired by his official letters in
duced the sending OF the publications of the
society.
Views Of the Prince.
The prince in reply says the objects seem
TO De those of the the Bible societies. for
IL Is only in proportion as the divine and
peaceable principles of the Gospel of Jesus
Chrlst prevail in the hearts of men that
lasting and universal peace can be expect
ed. blessed period is promised in the
WORD OF God when men shall learn the art
OF war no more. This period l understand
10 be the same as that in which it is proph-
esled that all men shall know the Lord.
even from the least unto the greatest. and
that the earth shall be full of the knowl-
edge of the Lord.
These latte promises seem to be daily
fuJhlling in every quarter of the world by
the exertions of Bible and other Christian
societies, to disseminate among men the
saving and pacific principles of Jesus
Christ. They are preparing the way for
your society's gaining its object-peace, uni
Versal peace-when men shall learn the art
OF war no more. / shall reckon It a
peculiar honor to be among the members OF
such a humane society"