The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-01
Address By Cardinal Gibbons
Feature OF Third Session Of
Lake MohonlS Conference.
REJoICEs At PROGRESS MADE.
breckenridge, Pcnficld and
Others Discuss Hague. Confer
ence-Report Of Committee.
(By Associated Press.)

lure j oLlqllle lllTu SeSsIoH u tiie l4a1he
Mohonlt Conference on International Ar
bltration to-day. Cardinal Gibbons said
In part:
Nearly two thousand years have rolled
by since the birth Of the Prince OF Peace.
whose advent was announced by the an
gelic host singing GLORY to God III tho
highest. and on earth peace, good will to
men,
Chrlst's mission on earth was to es-
tabllsh triple peace In the hearts Of
men--peace with God by the observan co
OF His commandments: peace with our
ffellowmen by the practice Of Justice and
charity. and peace within our own breasts
by keeping our passions subject to Ien-
son, and our reason in harmony with the
divine law.
/. He came, above all. to break down the
wall OF partition that divided nation from
nation, that nlenated tribe from tribe,
and people from people, and to make
them all Of one family acknowledging
the Fatherhood Of God and the Brother
hood OF Christ.
When looking back and contemplating
the wars that have ravaged the Christian
world during the last twenty centuries,
some persons might be tempted at first
sight to exclaim in anguish of heart, that
the mission Of Christ was a failure.
Decisive Progress.
My purpose. in the brief remarks which
shall make, is to disabuse the faint
hearted Of this djscouraging impression,
ind to show that Christ's mission has
not failed, but that the cause Of peace
has made decisive and reassuring pro-
gress.
1t is by comparisons and contrasts
that we can most effectunlly gauge the
results OF Christian civilization.
The Cardinal compared the military
history Of the Roman Empire from its
foundation to the time OF Augustus
Caesar, with tho military record Of our
American Republic from the close Of the
Revolution to the present time, and de-
clared that the blessed Influence OF our
Christian civilization has been expert
enced not only in reducing the number
Of wars, but still more In mitigating the
horrors of military strife. Continuing,
he said:
Let us contrast the conduct of Titus
toward the Jews with General Grants
treatment of the defeated Confederate
forces. When General Lee surrendered
his sword at Appomattox Courthouse,
he and his brave army were permitted
to return without nolestation to their
respective homes
Imagine General Leo and his veterans
led in chains to Wash ington, followed
by the spells and treasures of Southern
homes and Southern sanctuaries. Im-
agine the same Confederate soldiers COM
PEELED to erect monument to comment
crate their own defeat Would not the
whole nation rise up In its might, and
denounce a degradation SO revolving to
their humanity?
The. Roman and American Generals.
In their opposite conduct, were reflect
ing the spirit OF the times in which they
lived. Titus was following the traditions
Of Paganisn1. Grant was obeying the
mandates of Christian civilization.
And now, Friends and Advocates OF
international Arbitration, permit me to
greet you with words Of good cheer and
encouragement.
Noble Mission.
You are engaged in the most noble
and beneficent mission that can engross
the attention OF nankind-a mission to
which arc attached the most sublime
title and the most precious reward
"Blessed arc the pen cemakers, for they
shall be called the children of God,
I beg you to consider what progress
has already beon made In the beneficent
work in which you are enlisted.
A hundred years ago, disputes between
individuals were commonly decided by
a duel Thanks to the humanizing In
f1uence OF Christian public opinion.
these d!sngreementB arc now usually ad-
1usted by legislation or conciliTton.
Have wo not reason to hope that the
same specific agencies which have check
ed the duel between individuals, Will. III
Gods own time, check the duel between
nations?
In our school-boy days, tho most obi
Gus and contemplate creature wo used
to encounter was the bully who played
tho tyrant towards the weak, but cringcd
before his strong companions. But still
move intolerable is a bullying nation that
picks quarrel with q feeble nation
with the base intent OF SELLING her pos,
sessions. This bullying power is playing
towards a weaker neighbor the role which
the impIous King Ahab acted towards
Naboth. When tho King demanded Ma
both's vineyard, Naboth answered, ''The
Lord forbid that should give to thee
the inheritance of my fathers.'i But
there was no Board OF Arbitration IN
those days; might was right with. Alab.'
He robbed Naboth not only Of his vine-
yard, but also of his life,
Friends and Advocates OF International
Arbitration, lot II be your mission to
protect the weak against the strong, and
Then to the ruler Of a feeble nation may
be applied the words Of the poet:
Thrice Is he armed who hath his quar-
rel just"
/. He is armed with the consciousness
of the sacred right Of property,
q. He Is armed with the shield OF an
enlightened public opinion.
8. He Is armed with the conviction that
his cause will be adJudIcated, by the
equitable decision Of a Board Of Arbitra-
ton.
Reign Of Peace.
This amicnble system. while prot Getting
the rights OF tho weak, Will not wound
or humiliate tho national pride OF the
strong, since It does not attempt to
trench on the sovereignty Or autonomy
OF the stronger power.
Let us cherish tho hope that tho day
is not far off when the reign OF the
Prince of Peace will BIO firmly estab-'
lshed on the earth. and tho spirit OF tho
Gospel viii so far sway the minds and
hearts of rulers and cabinets, that inter-
national disputes Will be decided not ny
standing armies but by permanent courts
of arbitraton--when they will DO settled,
moi on Tho battlefield. but In the halls