Societies of Pennsylvania and New York; but so recently, that an answer is not, at present, expected. If we look abroad in the world, we shall find the general features of public affairs no less auspicious to the cause of peace. It is true, Alexander is dead, and for a while it was feared, that the world would be made to deplore his loss, by the conduct of his expected successor. Alexander, though not a great man, we have reason to believe had naturally a benevolent and peaceable disposition. Yet, as weak minds, even in the most exalted station, will be ever influenced by strong ones, he might have been persuaded by those, who have an interest in war and slavery, to manifest something of a disposition unfriendly to the cause of peace and liberty, and to the dissemination of that gospel which inculcates both. He was a man, and, therefore, not faultless. Let his failings descend into the tomb with his mortal remains, and his pacific disposition be imitated by all the governments of the world. His successor appears to possess a disposition no less pacific; and the military colonies-so ill understood in this country, and which have caused so much empty declamation, are about to be abolished, and the army to be "reduced to an unprecedentedly small establishment." Many of the potentates of Europe have also reduced their military establishments, and it is probable they would still further reduce them, were they not afraid to turn out on their peaceable subjects, a horde of fellons, who have so long subsisted on plunder, and the wages of iniquity. The Holy Alliance, it must be granted, has disappointed the expectations of the friends of peace. It keeps peace, it is true, but it is the peace of the grave, a peace extorted by force. Yet even this may be overruled by the "God of all peace" for good. Nations for a long time laying aside the sword,-from whatever cause-will, at length, forget its use; and such has been the progress of light, for a few years past, that crowned heads seem to be in danger from their own armies; that, like the warelephants in ancient times, are now ready to turn on their leaders and trample them in the dust, as soon as they shall be set in battle array. This will preserve peace for a long time in Europe. But it is beyond the power of kings to dam the current of liberty and free inquiry; it will, at length, overflow and sweep away all impediments; but we hope not until the people of Europe, taking warning from a recent example, will be too much enlightened to substitute a military despotism for a peaceful and less oppressive rule. On turning our eyes to the southward, brighter prospects strike our view, and we hail the Congress of Panama, as one of the brightest omens to the cause of peace. The language of President Adams in his message on this subject, seems to have been dictated by the spirit of peace and genuine philanthropy, and the sentiments are such as ought to have been expected from the first magistrate of the most enlightened nation in the world,-sentiments, which accord in sweet harmony with the gospel of peace, and we have no doubt will be re-echoed by our brethren of South America. Yes, we hail, with joy, the first congress of nations, (not of kings,) that modern times have witnessed, as the greatest epocha in the history of man, since the advent of the Saviour of the world, and, like that event, destined to proclaim แ peace on earth and good will toward man." Here, the germs of many a future war will be crushed-by man's beginning to learn to enact international laws, founded on mutual consent, and not depending on the disputed and ever varying theories and opinions of civilians, and to feel that rational creatures should be governed by reason, and not, like brute beasts, by force. But men do not become all at once enlightened; and we are rejoiced to see, that the young republics of the south have called in the aid of their elder sisters of the north, by whose advice, we have reason to hope, every hostile feature of the congress will be moulded into a pacific aspect, and peace be preserved, while the bounds of liberty, both political and personal, will be enlarged and strengthened. The increased diffusion of the light of the Gospel of Peace affords another and still greater promise of pacific principles. The distribution of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, gives to every one the opportunity of searching the word of inspiration for himself; and the day cannot be far distant, when the errors of popery and creeds of human invention will cease to keep the human mind in bondage; and then it will be seen and acknowledged, that war and slavery are inconsistent with the precepts of our holy religion, which command us to love our enemies, and to do to others as we would that others should do to us; and Christians, as they advance in light and knowledge, will, ere long, attain to the purity of the first converts to Christianity, who refused to be engaged in war, and sooner sacrificed their lives, than disobey the command of their Master. The great exertions which are making for the benevolent purpose of abolishing the slavery of black men, are auxiliary to our endeavors to free the white man from a servitude as cruel, as unjust, and as degrading, as negro slavery. For the white man who is impressed on board a man of war, and is suffering a flagellation at the gang-way, or the conscript who is tied up at the halberds, or put to the torture of the picket, the wooden horse, and the gauntlet, may well envy the superior condition of the black, who, not only suffers less bodily pain, but is not, like the other, compelled to commit murder, and to break the known commands of God. The bounds allowed to a report do not permit a detail of all the particulars favorable to the cause of peace. We have then only to press forward. Onward! Onward! should be our watchword. We are behind the spirit of the age, when we should precede it. Onward then, and secure a glorious, a bloodless victory, at which angels will rejoice, and only devils weep. LETTER FROM DR. FRANKLIN TO JOSIAH QUINCY. Ar the close of the Revolutionary war, when a treaty of peace had been signed at Paris, Dr. Franklin wrote a letter to Josiah Quincy, Esq. of Braintree, the grandfather of the present Mayor of Boston, which contained the following passages: "PASSY, Sept. 11, 1783. Considering all our mistakes and mismanagements, it is wonderful we have finished so well and so soon. Indeed I am wrong in using that expression-We have finished affairs so well. Our blunders have been many, and they serve to manifest the hand of Providence more clearly in our favor, so that we may much more properly say-"These are thy doings, O Lord, and they are marvellous in our eyes!" 66 I rejoice with you in the peace God hath blessed us with, and in the prosperity it gives us a prospect of. The Definitive Treaty was signed the third instant. We are now friends with England, and with all mankind. "May we never see another war! for in my opinion, there never was a good war, or a bad peace." These paragraphs do honor to Dr. Franklin. He seems to have deeply felt, that to God and not to man, our country was indebted for a favorable termination of the long and sanguinary conflict. It may surprise some people that, after the close of the Revolutionary war, the Doctor should give it as his opinion, that "there never was a good war." But war in all its forms, is evil and not good. If God overrules it for good to any people, for this good they should render praise; but the evil they should deplore. No consequences, however favorable, can render that good which is in its own nature evil. Hence it appears, that men celebrate evil, whenever they celebrate war, or deeds of human slaughter. Suppose that the injustice of my neighbor had occasioned a sanguinary quarrel between him and me, which terminated to the advantage of myself and my family-my neighbor, however, was not killed, but one of his sons: would it not be un tian, inhuman, and barbarous in me and my sons publicly Alebrate my bloody feats, by which calamity was brought y neighbor and his family? If so, what ought we to think he custom of celebrating the victories or feats of public ? This custom, surely, must have been derived from tges, and to savages it should be confined. It is not that isdom which is from above." LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM THE REV. S. J. MAY. Brooklyn, Con. August 18, 1826. DEAR SIR-Our efforts to form a Peace Society have en crowned with abundant success. Agreeably to an invition given by letters circular, a considerable number of resectable gentleinen, from various parts of the county, met in is village on the afternoon of the 16th ult. The proceedings f the meeting are to be published in our next paper, which I vill send you. More than forty gentlemen have already oined the association, to be called the "Peace Society of Windham County." Dr. Thomas Hubbard of Pomfret, was elected President. He is a physician of great eminence, engaged in a very extensive practice; is President of the Medical Society of Connecticut, and is as generally respected, as he is known. We deem it a most auspicious circumstance that this gentleman has readily consented to stand at the head of our institution. Our first Vice President is George Benson, Esq. a venerable philanthropist. He was the recording secretary of the Rhode Island Peace Society from its formation until about two years since, when he removed to Brooklyn. The abolition of ' slavery, and the establishment of universal and permanent peace, seem to occupy his thoughts continually. They are his favorite topics of conversation; the subjects, I doubt not, of his daily prayers. He is in the enjoyment of a most healthful old age and a moderate competency; and would be at leisure, did he not devote himself so assiduously to the cause of suffering humanity. Our other Vice Presidents are a very respectable clergyman, Rev. Mr. Loomis of Willington; and an equally respectable lawyer, Samuel Perkins, Esq. of Windham, the author of the best written history of "the late war," that has appeared. Rev. Ambrose Edson, pastor of the 1st Trinitarian Society in Brooklyn, is our recording Secretary. Dr. Thomas Huntington, also of this place, is Treasurer. A large board of Trustees were chosen, consisting of one or more gentlemen from every town in the county. They are, ex officio, authorized to act, in all respects, as agents for the society. A petition for an act of incorporation will be presented at the next session of the legislature. We shall, shortly, publish a large edition of a tract, containing an account of our institution, with a statement and defence of the principles we avow, and wish to disseminate. But as a large portion of the community, depend mainly, for their information, upon oral communications, we purpose to have two public addresses delivered yearly, one at the annual meeting of the society to be holden in Brooklyn, and another in one of the other towns in the county, until there has been delivered in them all, an address upon this great subject. I am happy to state, that Samuel Perkins, Esq. has consented to advocate the cause of peace at Pomfret, on the 3d Wednesday of February next. And that our president, Dr. Hubbard, is to deliver the first annual address. I have the honour to be the corresponding Secretary of this society, and as such, Sir, earnestly solicit the benefit of your correspondence and counsel, so far as your health and numerous avocations will permit. Please to send me fifty copies of the "Solemn Review"-twenty-five of "Clarkson's Essay on the Doctrines and Practice of the early Christians," and several of that number of the Friend of Peace, which contains "Gen. Jones's resignation." Our required subscription being but fifty cents a year, (for reasons, Sir, which you will approve) it must be left to the option of every member, whether or not to take "the Friend of Peace." Many numbers of that excellent publication have been circulated in this vicinity, and we hope it will be taken 'by some in every town. Very Respectfully, Rev. N. Worcester, D. D. SAMUEL J. MAY. |