Philanthropist

From the Providence American.

War and Peace.

From the murder of Abel to the present day, the world has been almost one continued scene of slaughter, and destruction, and misery.--These two hundred generations of men, comprehending, perhaps, not less than two hundred thousand millions of individuals, have devoted a vast proportion of their time and their talents, their ingenuity and their labour, to the purposes of mutual annoyance :-- As if human happiness consisted in the accumulation of human misery ! As if the business of life was to hurl the arrows of death !

But no age has witnessed more important events, more astonishing vicissitudes, than those which have transpired within the memory of the present generation. When were greater armies raised and destroyed ! When were more mighty kingdoms established or subverted ? When did tyrants tread with loftier strides, over slaughtered nations, to the summit of ambition, or sink to ruin, more suddenly and complete! Look at the volume of modern history ; there is no room for ordinary events. Every page contains a revolution.

These violent struggles are succeeded by an interval of comparative calm. The nations, wearied with conflicts, are sunk in repose. An important crisis in the destinies of the world! The inquiry seemed suspended, 'where next shall the thunder burst? And Christian nations are listening to a far different inquiry -an inquiry, for some time uttered in feeble murmurs, but now beginning to be distinctly heard-- Shall the Sword devour Forever!" Men dare to call in question the legality of war. They assert its inhumanity and impolicy. They boldly assert its inconsistency with the whole Spirit, design and tendency of the Gospel; and they begin to be heard. The shackles of prejudice are falling off. It is now believed that the custom of ages can never sanction crime. In conformity to which sentiment, a Christian nation has disowned the horrid traffic in human blood. They may ere long disown the horrid practice of human slaughter.

This is a subject of the deepest interest to all, and must soon force itself into general notice. The friends of peace and humanity are surprised, and will be still more surprised, to find how rapidly their numbers increase. In both hemispheres, bold champions are advocating the cause. The ablest pens and the finest talents have been employed in its service. Numerous treatises have already appeared, breathing the language of peace.--Several societies have been formed in various parts to spread its principles. Characters of the highest respectability are rallying round its standard. Arguments clear and unanswerable are advanced in its defence. But it is not to be imagined, that little more is to be done. The monster war is surrounded by many strong walls of defence, and is not to be demolished without a protracted siege.
be exterminated without a struggle. It is engendered from the lusts of men, which have extensive sway. Prejudices, riveted by universal custom, and rusted in by the lapse of ages, are to be worn away by slow degrees. The poets and historians of all nations have adorned their pages with the praise of heroes and the glory of arms. Then our ideas of heroism and glory, and of all the exalted virtues in the human character, by a most unnatural association, are interwoven with destruction and murder.

There are many who, amid the horrors of war, look for the promotion of some private interest. There are many whose very profession is arms and who expect no other employment. These are some of the most prominent obstacles; and when these are considered, it is cause of astonishment that so little in the shape of argument has been attempted by the advocates for war. It is, perhaps, cause of regret too. Truth can suffer nothing by investigation. There are doubtless many candid men, who, on various grounds, sincerely believe that war ought to be tolerated. Let these come forward, and publish their arguments to the world. I believe there will not be wanting able advocates to defend the truth: and I have the fullest persuasion, that a serious and impartial examination will ensure the complete triumph of the principles of peace.

The design of the present essay is not to discuss the merits of the question before us. Argument is therefore avoided. Nor is it for the purpose of idle declamation; but from a serious wish to excite attention to a momentous concern, and one of universal interest. Let it be made a subject of general conversation. Let the books which treat of it be sought after and read: and let every one make himself master of the arguments pro and con. What! shall our libraries be filled with histories of battles, biographies of warriors? Shall the quarrels of contending nations be echoed from every tongue, and all on tiptoe eager to hear? and when the general question is agitated, whether all these violent measures shall be abolished, and mankind live as one great family of brethren, shall a silent apathy ensue and interest expire? I trust not. It is a question that must and will command attention. Nine out of ten of the common people are in their hearts inclined to peace, and when once its banner is fairly displayed they will enlist under it. The current which has long flowed in the polluted ways of error will run irresistibly in the channel of truth, clear and transparent.

Let those who are interested in the cause of truth, unite their efforts to advance the work of reformation. Let us hear the sound of The Providence Peace Society. And let some of those excellent treatises, the Sermon Review, the Letters to Governor Strong, the Friend of Peace, &c. &c. be put into the hands of every man, woman and child that can read them. Men influence the existing concerns of nations; women influence the opinions of society, and form the minds of their children; and the children of the present generation will be the men of the next. In this way a permanent foundation may be laid. Thus nations may be induced to sheathe the sword and learn war no more.