Year: 1870

Address from the Committees OF the London


and American Pence Societies TO the Friends


Of Peace.


DEAR FRIENDs-That which we have long feared
peace which the governments OF Europe have in
sisted on maintaining has issued a. sucn system
could not fan, sooner or later TO do.
In open war between the two Powers
which had most distinguished themselves by the
excess OF their warlike preparations. The con.
hict which has now commenced Will, beyond doubt
prove to be one OF the most awful In the history OF
the world. It VIII involve an lncaculabe destruc-
hUh Oh human nd iie ana PrCperg w Ell yrads OF
derange those benehcent Ties OF commerce by which
mankind are bound to each other, will arrest the
progress OF liberty and civilization, Will envenom
mems spirits by evil passions, and Will make the
very name of Chrstlanlty-the religion OF mercy
and brotherly loye-for the time mockery In the


But while overwhelmed with sorrow at this terri
BILE event we at least can look upon It with con-
science free from rcmorse. For many years we have
not ceased, to the extent of our abilities and oppor
tunites, In our endeavors TO impress upon govern
ments and peoples the duty OF using the lucid inter-
walls Of peace In adopting means Which would give
some guarantee to the nations against dire ca
lamity as that which mas now ovcrtaken them. Far
from having proclaimed, as we are sometimes mis-
takeny.accused of doihg,an approaching millennium
OF universal peace our voice, on the contrary, has
been one OF constant depreciation and warning,
on the ground that there was no security for
peace while Europe was necessarily preparing for
war, and while the nations were content to
leave the continuance OF pence at the mercy OF the
excited passions and hazardous accidents OF the
moment. Therefore It is that we have been strenu-
ously cOntendng, nfst, FOR q mutual and stimuli
taneOus reduction OF those enormous ornaments,
which, kept up proessedly In the interests OF peace
are the most dangerous Incentives to war; and,
secondly for the establishment OF court OF afbitra.
ton, or some form OF International Jurisdiction by
which the differences OF nations could be referred to
the decision OF reason and justice instead OF preu-
dice ana passion Ii there ba any who doubt the
efficacy OF these means win they suggest some
means more e1icac10uS, or are We TO abandon man.
kind In despair 10 the eternal rule OF barbarism and
brute lOrceY


What now, dear friends, remains for us to do ?
Unhapply, III those countries which are the actual
seat OF war the voice oil Justice, reason and religion
Is stined, for that is The only condition which war
can be prosecuted Our excellent fellow aborers In
the cause OF peace on the Continent have not been
wanting To their principles aud convictions In this
awful crisis. Consistently and cOurageously, even
In every way that was open TO them, uttered bold
and eloquent protests against the war But while 1t
may be dltncult for them to persevere In that
course-for war Is the most oppressive Of tyrants-
we must continue 10 denounce this great crime
against humanity, and, undaZzled by the glare Of
victor victory which may attend one side or the
sober reason and Christian morality. We
must guard ourselves, and use whatever influence
we possess In guarding others. against the conta-
gion Of the war spirit, which Is apt to spread
10 those who are only spectators OF the conflict We
must do all that lies In our power to prevent the
OF war being enlarged, and especially we must
strenuousy resist all attempts 10 involve our own
country in this dreadful imbrogiio. We must watch
every opening the restoration OF peace so as to
encourage our own and other neutral governmcnts
TO oer their mediation the earliest possible op-
portunlty With view to bring the war to an end.
this depiorabe conflict is closed to invoke the pub
q O. such measures being taken as win ior
beyond the reach Of the personal ambition
OF individuals or the caprcious impulses Of popular
passion: And may we not hope that the horror and
Indignation Which this war cannot fail ultimately 10
inspire WILL convince OIL men 0f the supreme fony
ana wckedness of reierrlng she disputes Of nations