THE ADVOCATE OF PEACE. Minister of the United States, and General Meredith Reed,

BOSTON, APRIL, 1873.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Rome, Italy, Feb., 1873. My last communication to the Advocate closed with a brief account of the most interesting and important meeting held at Darlington, England. From England I hastened to Paris where my reception was most cordial, and the interest manifested in the mission upon which I had been sent was exceedingly encouraging. The distinguished representatives of our own country, in that metropolis, the Hon. E. B. Washburn, Minister Plenipotentiary, Col. Hoffman, Secretary of Legation, and Gen. J. Meredith Mead, Consul General, were very prompt in the expression of their sympathy with the movement, and afforded every facility in their power to secure its

success.

That eminent scholar and philanthropist, Frederic Passy, Professor at the Sarbonne, received our proposition with great favor, and after the interval of only a few days very kindly convened quite a large number of prominent gentlemen for the purpose of giving me an opportunity to make known to them our plans and purposes. The interview was one of great interest, and the result of it is briefly stated in the following note received the day after the meeting from Prof. Passy.

REPORT OF THE MEETING IN PARIS BY PROF. F. PASSY. [Translated from the French.]

pre

For want of an official report, that the shortness of time vents me from preparing before the departure of Rev. J. B. Miles, I consider it a pleasure and a duty to give him at least the summary abstract which follows of the meeting at which he did us the honor of being present.

Rev. James B. Miles, Secretary and delegate of the Peace Society of America, has come to Europe in this quality in order to arrange with the persons designated by their zeal and competency, the means of preparing the basis of a code of nations on International Law destined to generalize and regulate the employment of arbitration so happily applied in the affair of the Alabama.

dations.

Consul General of the same nation, attested by their presence the great interest that this great nation takes in the work of which Mr. Miles is one of the most noble workers.

After the account given by the honorable visitor, and the observations of some of the persons present, the meeting voted unanimously to the Rev. J. B. Miles and his assistants the warmest thanks, and begged him to be the interpreter of their sentiments to his compatriots. The Society, unanimously also, expressed the opinion that the great international movement in which the new world unites with the old, must preserve a character non-official, and spring entirely from the action of enlightened opinion.

It finally named a committee of five members to study the question, and render an account in due season.

After leaving Paris the next place at which I tarried was Turin, Italy. The home of his Excellency, Count Sclopis, late Minister of State, and one of the most honored and eminent names in the whole kingdom of Italy.

The readers of the Advocate need not be informed that his

position as President of the Geneva Court of Arbitration has given him a world-wide celebrity, and the ability, wisdom and grace with which he discharged the duties of that most honorable and unique position, have won for him the gratitude of all the nations of the earth. We were especially desirious to submit our proposal to him, feeling that his judgment in regard to the main proposition for the Congress, and the mode of carrying it into execution should be of the greatest value. Going with letters of introduction from Prof. Passy and others, we were invited to an interview at his residence, and were received with great courtesy and kindness by himself and the Countess, his wife, a very accomplished and affable lady.

His Excellency assured me the purpose of my mission was the subject in which more than any other he felt a lively interest. He promptly endorsed the general plan, and proposed to give me his endorsement in writing, as also, his views in regard to the course to be pursued.

He conversed very freely in reference to the illustrious transaction to which he contributed so essentially, and with which his connection was so honorable.

I had the honor in the name of Judge Warren, President of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, to present to him a richly bound copy of the proceedings of that Association at its last annual meeting, containing the names of the early, and also of the honorary members of the Association, and together with other matters, Judge Warren's annual address, in which he makes a happy and eloquent reference to the Geneva Arbitration.

After having been heard in England with great sympathy in several important meetings, Mr. Miles, before going into the He expressed much pleasure in the reception of the token other capitals of Europe, has stopped some days in Paris, and of regard from America, and with the terms in which the has put himself into communication with the Society of the friends of Peace in France, to which he had special recommen- Geneva Court, and its great work are spoken of. Upon seeing the name Adams upon the roll of Honorary Members, he inquired if that was the family to which the Hon. Charles Francis Adams belonged. On being answered in the affirmative he proceeded to speak in the warmest terms of that distinguished gentleman. He gladly bore testimony to the preeminent ability and wisdom displayed by him in the discharge of his delicate and difficult duties as a member of the Court of Arbitration.

A meeting, extraordinary, was quickly organized, and he made yesterday, February 6th, in the rooms of the Society, the explanation of the mission with which he is charged, insisting energetically, on the disposition of the great American nation, in whose name the documents of which he is the bearer, authorize him in some manner to speak.

At this meeting, besides the members present of the Committee of the Society, there were present a certain number of guests of distinction known from their sympathy in favor of the cause of peace. We remarked among others M. de Parein of the Institute, formerly President of the Council of State,and M. Marbeau, founder of the Infant Asylums. Several, such as M. Labourlaye, M. Labelouye, were detained in the National Assembly. M. Coquerel was indisposed and not able to be present. Mr. Washburn, the son, represented his father, the

Very grateful for the encouragement received from Count Sclopis, I procceded on my way via Florence to this city, Rome, where the endeavor to carry into effect the ideas of the friends of peace in America has been crowned with glorious success. It was the height of the season in the old classic seven-hilled

city when we arrived, and we found the city crowded with peo- through to a consummation that shall give to the world an interple from all quarters of the globe.

Thus

We were favored with letters of introduction to several of the professors in the University, as well as members of the Parliament, and also to our excellent and efficient Minister Plenipotentiary, the Hon. George P. Marsh. Mr. Marsh has long been an earnest friend of arbitration, and has written much and ably in advocacy of arbitration as a substitute for war. He treated us with great kindness, and added his influential name to our cards of introduction, and expressed to us the warmest words of sympathy and wishes for our success. endorsed, and accompanied by a friend, whose services were invaluable, the Rev. Mr. Burchell, a clergyman of the English church in Rome, we waited upon the distinguished gentlemen whose cooperation in our great enterprise we desired. We cannot enter into details. Let it suffice for us to say our reception in all instances was exceedingly gratifying. The statement of the object of our mission was received with the greatest delight.

as

"There is no hope for Italy," said these gentlemen, long as the present war system prevails among the European nations. We cannot bear the enormous burden of our standing armies. We have full faith in the practicability of Arbitration, and we rejoice in an opportunity to join with the people of America and Great Britain in an endeavor to carry it into effect."

We received in writing an endorsement of our scheme, and an elaborate exposition of the method to be pursued for its practical realization from the most eminent men in Italy. Among them Comm. L. S. Mancini, formerly Minister of State, now member of Parliament, and Professor of Law in the University of Rome. Auvt. Cov. Augusto Pierantoni, Professor of Law Constitutional and International in the University of Naples. Mons. Crispi, M. P., Mons. Levy the representative of the Jews, and a scholar and public man of great

reputation and influence.

I have given only a hasty and imperfect account of my reception in Italy, and yet I trust that even from this hasty letter our readers may derive the assurance that the great, and noble, and most interesting country, Italy, is ready to cooperate with us in all wise and well-advised measures for the establishment of peace among the nations.

In view of our success in this nation we are constrained to say J. B. M. Glory to God in the highest.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE CONGRESS IN
AMERICA..

national code, elaborated by the best judicial authorities in
Christendom, and which shall also provide for that permanent
high court of nations which shall be to and for them all what
our Supreme Court at Washington is to this great continental
Rev. J. B. Miles, Secretary of the American
family of States.
Peace Society, is now visiting different countries in Europe,
consulting with their most eminent jurists, publicists, and
statesmen, with the view of securing their presence and active
co-operation at such a congress, and the reception of the propo-
sal has exceeded the best anticipations of those most directly
interested in his mission. As I was to accompany him, and
was only prevented from doing so by an injury received on a
railroad journey early in December, his success is peculiarly
gratifying to me, as showing that I was not needed to help him
in the work he is so fully accomplishing alone. I am sure a few
passages from a letter just received from him, written at Venice,
will interest many who believe that the settlement of the Alabama
difficulty presents a golden opportunity which should be made
the most of for the good of mankind.

After mature consultation with friends of the movement
here, Mr. Miles was to propose to publicists and other eminent
men abroad this peculiar feature of an International Congress
in America, which should distinguish it from all the peace con-
gresses held at Brussels, Paris, Frankfort and London twenty-
That it should consist of two distinct bodies,
five years ago.
meeting at different places, and for different objects; that one
of these should be a senate of publicists, consisting of thirty or
forty of the first writers and authorities on International law,
who should meet by themselves and elaborate an international
code, clause by clause, bringing all their erudition to bear on this
great work. The other body should be a large popular assem-
bly of philanthropists, economists, ministers, editors, etc., from
different countries, who should meet, for perhaps a week, to
present all the moral, religious, economical and humanitarian
As this congress will
aspects of the general subject of peace.
be held in the same month as the Evangelical Alliance, many
distinguished men from abroad connected with that assembly
may be expected to be present at a meeting so congenial with
the object of their visit to America. But the senate of publicists
is to do the great practical work aimed at by the friends of
peace, and it will be seen from Mr. Miles' letter how favorably
this part of the proposition has been received. He writes:

*

"At Paris I had a very large and influential meeting. The proposition for a senate of jurists was heartily indorsed, and the decision was unanimous that the governments could not be expected to take the initiative. In other words our American plan was entirely approved. The meeting was attended by the most distinguished men in Paris, and our minister, Washburne, was represented by his son and secretary, and Gen. J. M. Read was also present. I am to have another and much larger meeting in Paris on my return. My reception was most cordial. At Turin I had a long and full conference with Count Sclopis, President of the Court of Arbitration. He endorses our plan fully; says the senate must be ungovernmental, and he is to give his views at length in writing. At Rome I have had great success. I have conferred with the most eminent members of the Italian Parliament and writers upon international law. They enter into the movement very enthusiastically. Mancini, the leading member of Parliament, Professor of Law in the University, etc., has given me his indorsement in writing, It may not be too early to call the attention of the public mind as also others have done. They all say that the only hope of Italy to what may be regarded the most interesting assembly ever is in the direction we are now moving; they also say our American convened on this continent, and which will probably open its plan is the true one. Count Sclopis and Mancini will be members first session about the middle of next October. The friends of of the Senate, if we desire, and esteem it a great honor. Italy is peace, both in America and Europe, have looked upon the all right. I am on my way to Vienna to confer with Mr. Jay High Court of Arbitration at Geneva, and the precedent which and others; thence to Berlin, the Hague, Brussels, etc.; and the two foremost nations established before that tribunal, as a let me assure you, dear friend, the time is ripe for our glorious new departure in the history of governments and peoples-a enterprise. Nothing stands in the way of making it the most departure from the old blood way and barbarism of brute force benign and memorable movement of the age. Tell the Amerifor the better road of justice, reason, humanity and human hap-can people what glorious encouragement I am meeting with." piness. In this view, belief and hope, they are now proposing to convene a congress of the most eminent publicists, statesmen and philanthropists, to meet probably at New York, next Fall, for the purpose of taking up the line of effort begun at Washington by the Joint High Commissioners, and of carrying it

To the Editor of the New York Times:

I could not comply with this closing injunction more effectually than by asking admission for the foregoing extracts from Mr. Miles' letter describing the reception of the subject of his mission to Europe. They do indeed afford a glorious encouragement" for the hope that here, in this young country of

The famous"Six Nations," also called the "League of the Iroquois, were the firm allies of Great Britain, therefore they fought against the Colonial Government in its effort to throw off the yoke of bondage to a foreign power. Deserting Indian "The moral view of the question should be considered, and allies has, with a few honorable exceptions, been the rule; the question asked, cannot the Indian be made a useful and therefore it is not strange that Great Britain, in its negotiations productive member of society by proper teaching and treatfor peace with the United States, made no stipulation in favor ment? " ** "If the effort is made in good faith, we will of the Iroquois, but left them to the mercy of the nation stand better before the civilized nations of the earth and in our against which they had been fighting. General Wash- own consciences for having made it. " ington, with his characteristic magnanimity, so tempered justice The heart of the Indian as well as that of the white man rewith mercy that he soon won the full confidence of these Indi-sponds to these sentiments. Lost confidence is being restored, ans, as is beautifully depicted in the following extract from the and the Indian now begins to believe that all white men are not "League of the Iroquois," published by Lewis H. Morgan, of Rochester, in the year 1861:

modern church, presenting to the savage mind the most palpable
of all contradictions-Christian nations the most warlike of all
nations!
8th. It is the most immoral of all immoralities, becoming at
once the occasion and cause of every species of crimes, even
the most revolting.

tions of the land that without their help this Government cannot
Christianize a heathen people: therefore the responsibility rests
upon the Christian Church in a higher sense than ever before.
The seeming hopelessness of converting, or even of civilizing
the Indian, has thus far been a ready excuse with lukewarm
Christians. It is true that migratory tribes of men cannot pro-
gress much in civilization; and even the descendants of Abraham
degenerated during their wandering, and discontinued almost
entirely the established rites of their religion. Another vain
excuse for neglecting the Indian arose from a prevalent belief ON
that he was doomed to perish, through the agency of the white
man's vices and diseases! Providentially, even these vain
excuses can no longer be offered, as Indians are being settled
on permanent reservations, where their government is placed
in the hands of Christian people, and during the last four years
Indian tribes thus favorably circumstanced have almost invari-
ably increased in population. Indeed, the reliable author of
"The League of the Iroquois," already referred to, testified
that the remnants of the six nations began to increase as soon as
they were settled on reservations, and engaged in herding and
agriculture. If, under the present favorable circumstances, the
missionary spirit of the Christian Church is not exerted in be-
half of our home heathen, the plea for foreign missions will be
weak indeed. Fortunately, churches everywhere are being
stirred up to this long-neglected duty. It may be stated as an
additional incitement, that the Lord Bishop of Rupert's Land
has just made an urgent appeal to the Bishop of Nebraska for
an Indian missionary to aid in Christianizing the Sioux Indians
who took refuge in Canada after the Minnesota massacre of
1862. Some of the very Indians who were engaged in the
massacre are now among the most consistent Christians in Ne-
braska, and are honest, sober, industrious workmen-their ene-
mies being their judges and bearing this testimony. Even
Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, who had not seen them for ten
years, was amazed at their progress in Christianity, and general
intelligence, and industry, at his visit to Nebraska last au-
WM. WELSH.

tumn.

PHILADELPHIA, March 7, 1873.

EIGHT REASONS AGAINST WAR.

BY H. M. MOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA.

While I cannot claim a theory on the subject of war which may be entirely unobjectionable even to my own mind, yet I must plant myself on the peace side of the question for the following reasons:

1st. I see nothing in the precepts of the New Testament which either directly or indirectly sanctions war in theory, sentiment, spirit or practice.

2d. There is nothing that I can find in the lives of Christ, the apostles, or the Christians living in their day, which gives it countenance.

3d. Many precepts are most positively against the use of carnal weapons, and many more against a warlike spirit: in fact, the whole tenor of the New Testament is against its spirit and practice.

4th. If war could be used harmlessly and with benefit to our race at all, it certainly would have been used in the diffusion of Christianity; and it seems to me that the apostles would either have made use of it themselves for the extension of the blessings of Christianity, as Mahomet did in the spread of his tenents, or arranged for their followers to have done so; but they have done neither.

MULTUM IN PARVO.-The development and organization of military forces was the main cause of the Franco-German war, and there can be no doubt that the bellicose passion has received an impulse from the great successes on the one side, and the great disasters on the other. The love of glory has become, alas! too national in Germany-the desire for revenge rages fiercely in too many a French breast. Nor will the antecedents of the President give us much encouragement; his history of the Consulate and the Empire shows too plainly how much he has been ebloui by the glare of conquest, and how far he has ministered to the military furor of the people. If the mighty influences which have fanned the warlike flames could be directed towards a general disarmament, or to a diminution of armed forces proportioned to the present scale, what an imstrength to useful production, what a security for the future mense economy of money, what a beneficent transfer of wasted peace of the world! And this would be the most appropriate answer to those who tell us how little we have studied or rather how little we have obeyed the commands of the Great Pacific Teacher whom we profess to recognize as our Lawgiver and Lord, and this the best evidence of our obedience to His commands.-Sir John Bowring.

Spurgeon says, "George Fox has left us a great legacy, When I namely, his testimony against the abomination of war. first read his life I could think of nothing but Christ's Sermon on the Mount. It seemed to me that he had been reading that so often that he himself was the incarnation of it; for his teaching is just a repetition of the Master's teaching there-just an expansion and explanation of the primary principles of Christianity. When I hear of a man who is in the profession of arms being converted, I rejoice; but when I hear of a converted man taking up the profession of arms, I mourn. If there be anything clear in Scripture, it does seem to me that it is for a Christian to have nothing to do with carnal weapons. May the day come when war shall be regarded as the most atrocious of all crimes, and when, for a Christian man, either directly or indirectly, to take part in it, shall be considered as an abjuring of his principles. The day may be far distant, but it shall come, when men shall learn war no more. A right view of the 7th. It greatly impedes the missionary operations of the true character of war may hasten that happy era."

5th. For the first three centuries the Christians were entirely disconnected with war, and suffered death rather than engage in it. In fact, their non-belligerent attitude was so positive that it provoked the most violent persecutions. 6th. War is the great enemy to civilization, destroying its works of art, science and morals, and protracting indefinitely its infancy or destroying it altogether.

THE CITY OF NOCROSS. An allegorical work written of the music too, heart-music which shall indicate that true muise of manner of Pilgrims Progress.