THE PEACE CONGRESS AND THE PRESS. OUR readers will naturally expect that we should revert in the present Herald to the late Congress, seeing that the space occupied by the report of its proceedings in our last number, precluded our making any of those general observations which the event was so well calculated to suggest. Nor do we intend now to indulge at much length in remarks of our own, but shall rather yield the privilege of speech to other witnesses, who may be considered more disinterested and impartial, and whose testimony we have been at some pains to collect. One or two sentences, however, we shall claim permission to utter as to the general character and results of the Congress.

It has been most gratifying to us to hear the ardent and unanimous satisfaction expressed, in reference to the proceedings by all those whose judgment is most entitled to respect. If there has been any exception, it has sprung from a class who has great claims on our compassion and forbearance, we mean the small orators, who, having come to the meeting, with their eloquence in a state of irrepressible effervescence, had unhappily no opportunity to give it vent, and who in the hot vehemence of their displeasure, have been tempted to make rather unwarrantable use of the names of wiser and better men than themselves, as a cloak for their own discontent. On the other hand, the tribute of admiration and gratitude bestowed from innumerable sources, and in language much beyond their deserts, upon those who conducted the arrangements of the Congress, have afforded abundant proof, how kindly sensible and considerate men appreciate the services of those whom they see fulfilling with zeal and earnestness, difficult and delicate public duties.

There is one circumstance by which we have been greatly struck, in connexion with this and the former Congresses, and that is, how uniformly those who were present at these meetings, with whatever feelings they may have in the first instance, entered them, become inspired with respect for their character and objects. A German professor, who came to Frankfort avowedly to get materials for mirth at the expense of the Peace enthusiasts, afterwards described the change that had come over his mind while watching the proceedings of the Congress, in the following striking language: "I went into St. Paul's Church a Saul and came out a Paul." And thus have we ever found it, that those, who, while contemplating the thing at a distance through the distorting medium of their own prejudices and pre-conceptions, have been disposed to treat the matter with derision or contempt, have on nearer inspection, become so impressed with the earnestness of the men, and the practical character of their measures, as to change greatly their estimate of both. Not the least satisfactory result of this Congress to ourselves, we confess, is the effect it has produced on the minds of certain excellent, though somewhat suspicious friends of our own, who have kept aloof from the movement, under the erroneous impression,

These

that it partook too much of a political character. gentlemen were surprised and delighted to find, that there was next to none of the obnoxious elements which their fears had conjured up, while there was so much to strengthen and promote the cause they have at heart. Like true men and candid Christians, they acknowledged the misconception under which they had been labouring, and will henceforth, we doubt not, unreservedly throw their own energies and influence into a work so much in harmony with their most sacred principles and convictions.

Not less encouraging is it to find the yearly improving tone of the public press. We have done all in our power to obtain a faithful representation of the sentiments expressed by this great interest, the result of which we will now lay before our readers. readers. We begin with the metropolis. Almost all the daily papers reported the proceedings of the Congress at considerable length. In the way of comment, however, the Times was entirely silent, a circumstance not without hopeful significance, when we remember the unmeasured attacks it has made upon us, during each former year. The Daily News was silent, probably for an opposite reason, because it is becoming, as has been obvious enough for some time past, less liberal every day, and because its editor, widely differing in this respect from the vigilant and sagacious Times, generally betrays a singular and blundering propensity, to alienate his best friends by insult or neglect, and to ignore the most powerful tendencies of public opinion. The Morning Advertiser was as usual, the firm and outspoken friend of the Congress. Our only two assailants, so far as we know, were the Morning Chronicle and the Sun; and as we have dealt with them in a separate article, we shall not further advert to them here. The weekly and provincial papers were almost, without an exception, favourable, as will appear from the following extracts. From the able and sarcastic Spectator, the following testimony was wrung, not the less valuable, because somewhat grudingly given.

"The Peace Congress, with its annual conferences, appears like its predecessor, the Anti-Slavery Society, to be in a fair way to become one of our national institutions-a kind of volunteer Foreign Office, or diplomatic depôt. Meetings, at which Sir David Brewster presides, which M. de Girardin visits, and Victor Hugo recognizes, and which are backed by the whole influence of Exeter Hall, are realities. Many who regard the idea of universal disarmament as a dream, admit that the propensity to war is so strong in society, as to render the counteraction of a sect which carries its principles to the other extreme, not undesirable. A piece of wood which has got a twist may be straightened by bending it for a time in the opposite direction. During the three days that the Congress sat this week, some abstract principles and sentiments were expressed and well expressed, which command the assent of all reflecting men. The practical suggestions at the conferences were perhaps less felicitous."-Spectator, July 26th.

The Economist, though believing that free trade is the great panacea, for "all the ills that flesh is heir to," admits, in the

following extract, that the friends of peace are valuable allies even to the free-traders,―

"The annual meeting of the friends of Peace took place this week in Exeter Hall. They seem to be gaining ground in public estimation, and were honoured on this occasion by having Sir David Brewster, an eminent man of science, for their chairman. Free Trade and they are close allies, and would bind all nations in bonds of amity. Without peace, the law that permits unrestrained intercourse would be a dead letter-without Free Trade, peace would have none of the intercourse of friendship. As Free Traders, therefore, we share the hopes of the members of the Peace Congress, and strive ardently for objects similar to those which attract them together."

The Atheneum dedicated as it is, to the interests of literature and science ever feels that it is in harmony with its mission, to hold out the hand of encouragement and fellowship, to those who are labouring to overturn that brutal power, which has been always found the most formidable foe to the enlightenment and civilization of mankind. This is its language.

"On Friday evening last week closed the Fourth European Congress of the advocates of Peace. No extraordinary feature stamped their recent sittings with the character of novelty. Only the usual resolutions were passed; but the tone of the debate was eminently satisfactory. There is no denying that before the efforts of these missionaries the peace doctrine makes progress. There was on this last occasion a more wide and unanimous testimony against the bad and illogical argument of war. Many of the representatives of foreign peoples had made personal acquaintance with scenes of blood and fire; and among an audience to whom the proud boast of the Lacedemonian warrior—“ No Spartan woman has ever seen the smoke of an enemy's camp"-might be truly applied, their revelations had a harrowing effect. Time has shown that the preachers of peace and international arbitration are in earnest in their work,-pursuing their ends with wisdom, dignity, and patience, and that they are likely to succeed in forming a powerful body of opinion against the appeal of battle, we have never doubted. Already they have lived down the sneers which rose up to meet and turn them back on the threshold of their adventure. Many yet regard the idea of a Court of Arbitration as Utopian : -this day last year how many professed to consider the Industrial Exhibition as Utopian! The cry of "Utopian!" has become a vain echo before the things that we have seen. The railway train was Utopian,-steam to America was Utopian,-gas was Utopian! The rapidity of the age produces in these matters the effect of miracle. The prodigy of yesterday will be the fact of to-morrow: -the dreamer of one generation is the lawgiver of the following. At no season since the peace agitation commenced have its principles stood before the world in so imposing an attitude as they now occupy. Practically, the Crystal Palace has been the congress of the year. The Society has merely had to give it articulate voice, -to register progress. If we were to offer a hint to the members of the Peace Society, native and foreign, it would be that they should direct more attention to the training of the young in peace doctrines, endeavour, on a wider base, to impregnate popular literature with the peace spirit,-approve their principles to the popular mind by showing their applicability in such cases as come within the sphere of the Danish Courts of Reconciliation,-in a word, address themselves still more systematically and perseveringly to the education of the rising generation in sound views on this subject. It is in this way that they can operate finally upon cabinets and courts. The tilting ground will be broken up when the people turn loathingly away from its barbarian displays.'

The Nonconformist, we need hardly say, is as usual, the boldest and bravest in the van of our defenders :

"If we felt," says the Editor, "disposed to do anything in the 'Ercles vein,' to let our pen run wild, as the readiest means of letting off exuberant enthusiasm-if we were given to boasting, or thought big words allowable, or necessary, in description of great things-if we had not, long before this, acquired the habit of curbing expression, especially when conscious of the stir of strong emotions in our bosom-the London Peace Congress would fairly set us off. We should rush forthwith into rhapsody, and say, or perhaps, sing things, which sober criticism might place in a ridiculous light. We have just come from the assembly-we

have its excitement still upon us. We think it a healthful onewell calculated to brace up the moral energies of our naturepossibly, to infuse that exaltation of feeling which some philosophers regard as the subsoil of prophecy. The Congress is now in session. Exeter Hall is its place of gathering-the President, Sir David Brewster. Its delegates are considerably upwards of a thousand, including some of the worthiest names to which the world does homage. Its visitors, we should suppose, three times that number. The business of the first day is concluded. The tone of feeling augurs favourably for the two which are to follow. We have no doubt from all that we have seen and heard that the London Peace Congress will be fully worthy of the year A.D. 1851, and will take its place, as most fittingly it may, beside ‘the Great Exhibition." "

The Standard of Freedom, gives its utterance to its delight, in the following eloquent and enthusiastic strain :

"The Great Peace Congress of 1851 has just terminated its sittings. A more glorious meeting was never held. From all parts of the world flocked delegates to this League of Universal Brotherhood. Honoured names were borne by the speakers. Men may differ from the Congress. They may deem its aim unattainable, or its means impracticable; but they cannot sneer at a cause which enrols amongst its advocates the Cobdens, and Humboldts, and Brewsters, and Whateleys of our own day. One great step has been gained. Respectable journalism no longer regards it as a monstrous folly, only to be laughed to scorn. The Morning Post-a paper whose limited circulation is chiefly confined to the aristocracy-it is true, mutters something about peace humbug; but the Congress has gained, and at any rate deserves, respectful attention from the Press.

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"But potent changes are coming thick and sure. The night is far spent the day is at hand. From his watch-tower the friend of humanity can see the dim grey of dawn faintly glimmering in the east. Man, wherever and whatever he may be, however desolate and forlorn and degraded and undone, will leap for joy, for he even will find an advocate and friend. The ignorant will be taught the destitute cared for-the fallen reclaimed-the slave will burst his fetters and rise up an emancipated man. Institutions and customs at variance with human rights will be swept away; commercial restrictions will no longer paralyse trade, and deny to one nation the great gifts the common Father has bountifully showered upon another. The brutal spirit which has set one man against another-which has recklessly squandered human life-which has let slip the dogs of war-which has crimsoned earth with blood,-will be succeeded by that diviner spirit which proclaimed the advent of the Christ, when the shepherds who kept their flocks by night heard angels' voices heraldingand the theme was one angels might love to sing 'Peace on earth and good-will towards men.' Then Peace shall reign with her beneficent sway; then, as our Poet Laureate sings

Yes, the Peace Congress, flushed with the sure presage of success, tells, with giant voice, a startled world There's a good time coming. On its platform, broad as the great globe itself, it has gathered together from every corner of the world, and from every section of humanity the friends of man. Around it must revolve all Missionary, Educational, Temperance, Anti-Slavery Societies; for like them it seeks the happiness of the human family-like them it acknowledges that God has made of one blood all nations that dwell upon the face of the earth-like them it must hasten the coming of a millennial day—a day that can never come till the Peace Congress has done its work, and the man of blood be

banished from the world."

The Patriot contributed an exceedingly able and elaborate article, the whole of which we should much liked to have inserted. We must content ourselves however, with its conclusion.

"The frequent sessions of Peace Congresses, attended by Depu tations from various parts of the Old and New World, is admirably adapted to aid in calling the attention of the civilized nations to the incalculable evils of War, and thereby to undermine imperceptibly, but surely, the very existence of standing armies, and to strike, as with an invisible hand, by the force of public opinion

alone, the sword from the grasp of Despotism. The Congress which has been sitting during the last three days in Exeter-hall, demonstrates the increased disposition of the European nations to entertain the proposal of Universal Peace as a practical question. It may suit those who are interested, either in War as a profession, or in discouraging popular assemblies for the promotion of great Reforms, to deride such gatherings; but they find that they are left to laugh by themselves. Influential as the former Congresses were, whether, abroad or at home, the present far exceeds them, both in numbers and in the personal weight of the individual representatives of different nations. Sir DAVID BREWSTER has lent the aid of his illustrious name to the cause of Peace; pronouncing from the Chair an inaugural Address which even those who sneer at the occasion, are compelled to admire, not merely as the emanation of a leading mind, but as putting the question of International Peace upon an inexpugnable basis. The old warfare is still kept up against Mr. COBDEN's proposal of a general disarmament; but this springs from a fear that 'OTHELLO'S occupation' will soon be gone.'

The Christian Times is no less bold and energetic in its testimony:

"It is, we believe, an accredited fact that, not a great many years ago, one of the questions discussed at a debating society in London, on the impostures of the age, was in substance as follows: "Which is calculated to make the largest demand upon the foolery and credulity of the human mind-the theory, as propounded by its author, of vaccination, or the impudent hoax of lighting by gas?' The gentleman who so confidently gave utterance to these modest interrogatories, may probably have lived long enough to see one of his queries answered by the manifest blessing of ALMIGHTY GOD upon the immortal discovery of Dr. JENNER, in arresting that direful scourge to which its prophylactic energies were applied; and the other calmly rebuked by the illumination of Regent-street. It is hardly a twelvemonth since the leading journal of Europe' and the authorities of St. James's-street exhausted the resources of their vocabulary in accumulating phrases of ridicule and scorn upon the head of Mr. COBDEN, simply because that honourable gentleman, with his characteristic boldness, thought it right to attend large meetings on the Continent, beginning with the very capital where the passion for military glory is almost a national instinct, for the purpose of advocating the priceless blessings of peace.

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"The Peace Congress, whose sittings have been held during three days of the present week, has proved unquestionably the most influential gathering of the kind that has ever yet taken place. Sir DAVID BREWSTER presided, and delivered a masterly address. The spirit which pervaded the meetings has been throughout of the most fraternal and harmonious kind."

The Weekly Dispatch is a paper of a widely different character from some of those we have previously cited. But none can deny that it is a paper, in which there is a vast amount of rough power, and that it exerts great influence over the working classes in this country. We rejoice greatly therefore in observing the tone assumed by this important journal, within the last two or three years. The following is the language in which it defends the friends of Peace, against the misconstructions of some of the friends of liberty:

"They only desire to institute in their turn, a quiet moral war against tyranny, instead of resorting to fire and sword, and making the helpless suffer infinitely more than the armed and aggressive. They believe that opinion will rule and can secure its own authority-ultimately it will do so. They know that one victory achieved by opinion is worth a million material conquests, for it runs no danger of reaction. They would substitute the long course of Providence, which all who read history and think upon events must mark in the progress of the world, for the wrath of indignation, and the swift instinct of retributive vengeance. They therefore conciliate and attach to themselves the philosophers who are content to look half a century forward, and who can all the better afford to do so because they are exceedingly comfortable in their secure and free homes meanwhile."

After stating also the necessity of a "Congress of justice," and objecting to the friends of Peace, that they are somewhat too exclusively devoted to their one idea, it proceeds :—

"Let us not be misunderstood. We have always held that the Peace Society does its full share of good work in patronizing a solid unpretending virtue against a great many showy and popular vices, in repressing the clamour of vile, low, bloodmongering ambitions, in proving the waste of national resources and of private happiness in the unprofitable employment of war, in striving to substitute reason for arms in settling disputes, above all, in forcing men to think of the truth in such matters instead of submitting to the tyranny of lying conventionalisms. The Peace Congress is at war with a great many evils, and therefore we respect it. It will not suffer moral means to be turned neck and crop out of the world to leave room for the rudest forms of brute force. It asserts civilization. It does immense service as an element of right, without our allowing it to be all elements in one."

Punch shall bring up the rear of the metropolitan press, not because he is not entitled to the foremost place, but because by the bright quivering arrows of his wit, he is admirably fitted to keep in check the few skirmishing sneerers, who still hang around our march. Some zealous admirer of feasting and feting having declared that the exploits of the London Aldermen, in eating and drinking and seeing sham fights in Paris, constituted the "real Peace Congress," Punch deals with the matter in the following style :

"Paris and London embrace, and give and take the kiss of peace under the remembered dome of the Crystal Palace. In the Hôtel de Ville, Paris, is celebrating the triumphant utilities of the world-wide fair of IIyde Park. All folks of all degrees associated with the origin and completion of the great work, are invited to eat, drink, dance, gaze, and be merry at the cost of the French Republic. The programme of the festivities is very full and very various. A dinner and a concert on the Saturday; waterworks and fountains at Versailles, on Sunday; on the Monday, a grand fête at St. Cloud, under the patronising brow of the President; on Tuesday, a ball-multitudinous as a geometric dance of summer gnats-of 8000, shakes the foundations of the Hôtel de Ville; and on Wednesday, as a conclusion of fireworks and finale of smoke-A review and sham-fight in the Champ de Mars!" Of all sham-fights that were ever feignedly fought, this Wednesday fight-circumstances considered-should be registered as the greatest sham of all. The powder white powder; noiseless, smokeless, the battle of a dream; a visionary flash-in-the-pan, with no true fire. For, says the programme, the occasion of the visitors so honoured and so regaled,

66 6 May do much to cement the more intimate connection between the two nations, whose mutual relations must be beneficial. In fact, following up the impression made by the Grand Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, this visit to our Parisian neighbours may be made the real Peace Congress, divested of long speeches and Utopian ideas.'

"There can be no doubt that the sham-fight was fought, not only in honour of the Peace Congress, but in illustration of the madness and folly of war, as set forth and preached at its gatherings. Mr. COBDEN might use the thousands of soldiers with their arms and artillery, even as a lecturer employs manipulations to prove his arguments. Imagine,' says MR. COBDEN, that these roaring guns have belched and spluttered showers of shot into compact masses of human creatures; believe that those mortars have flung shells into a city, blowing up the habitations of industrious men, and burying whole families in a fiery tomb! Behold the smoke cleared away; and then picture upon the field ten thousand human creatures, dead, or dying, in every horrible condition of human agony, and then make answer, and-as you are a rational creature, endowed with an immortal soul for an immortal destiny-say, wherefore such strife, such sacrifice, such cost of blood and cost of wealth (which, wrung by taxation, may be blood, though not shed in war)-when the ennobling aspirations of man should make reason, not force, the arbitrator? Brains, not bails-hearts, not howitzers? And in this way, as we conceive, MR. COBDEN, as a member of the Crystal Palace Commission, may turn to profit the sham-fight of the Champ-de-Mars.

"Haply, too, MR. THOMAS CARLYLE may eloquently preach thereon. For has he not sent a letter-a veritable palm-leaf-to the Peace Congress sitting in Exeter Hall? A letter in whichsaid the newspaper reports-were weighty words of sympathy and approval? Therefore, it was not too much to hope that CARLYLE

himself, smiting with root of olive tree, the hollow drum, would prove to a reflecting world what an empty wind-box that tambour is !

"Long speeches and Utopian ideas!' Poor Utopia; ever flung at as a fiction, a flam; though in some way ever palpably under our feet and round about us. Do we not live, and have firm footing in what was the Utopia of our ancestors? Call up GEORGE THE THIRD: take him a trip by the rail: let him receive a letter by the penny post: then, let him answer the aforesaid letter by electricity. Thus the Utopia of inexperience, of prejudice, becomes the solid globe of practised knowledge.

"What a curious picture-gallery might be collected of the portraits of succeeding Utopians! Of such dreamers as GALILEO and HERVEY, and NEWTON, and JENNER, and WATT, and STEPHENSON, and WHEATSTONE, and ROWLAND HILL, and-(he is now the newest; for he-poor enthusiast-dreams of a Winter Garden)— and JOSEPH PAXTON!"

We now turn to the provincial papers, many of which are not inferior in ability to the London daily journals; and in our judgment, far more trustworthy as interpreters of public feeling. The latter are almost invariably under the influence of some minister, or party, or clique, which intercepts the honest and outspoken utterance of principle and conviction; whereas the former are subject to none of those distorting restraints. We begin with the Leeds Mercury, the foremost of all our provincial papers :

"It was a happy arrangement by which the Peace Congress of 1851 and the Great Exhibition of the World's Industry were fixed to take place in the same metropolis and at the same time; and it would be well if, whenever the wondrously varied results of industry and skill are made palpable to the eye of man, his mind could be impressed with the importance of that state in which alone such fruits can be produced. The poet's maxim- Peace has her victories as well as War'-is proved by the Exhibition to be a great truth; but the Congress which has just been sitting would inculcate truths of yet greater value, viz. :-that the victories of the former are infinitely superior in their nature to those of War, that they can only be fully realised where war is unknown or so remote as to be beyond the range of probabilities, and that it is the duty of Governments, of nations, and of individuals, to cultivate a spirit which will render its recurrence an impossibility. It is pitiable, and still more amazing, that even a single professed guide of public opinion in the nineteenth century of the Christian era should be found ridiculing the efforts of a body like the Peace Congress to infuse such a spirit into their fellowmen and fellow-citizens. And yet the anomaly exists. Happily, ridicule directed against truth or its advocates is soon discovered, even by the dullest apprehension, to be worse than worthless, and injures only him who employs it. The speeches at the Peace Congress this week have been highly interesting, and its resolutions very judicious. We are always gratified to observe Mr. Cobden taking an influential part in proceedings intended to reduce theories on the value of Peace to practical realities. The hon. gentleman on such occasions shows how well may be combined the patriot and the philanthropist. He may rely upon the sympathy of his constituents while pursuing a course so noble and so truly useful."

The Manchester Examiner is well known as the organ of that great Free Trade party in the North, whose energy and combination won the most memorable victory of moral power of which this age can boast. The following is its testimony on the subject:

"The spirit which drove Christ out of the Temple is still rife among us. Prejudices are fostered until men believe them to be truths, and are ready to do battle in their support. So prevalent is this characteristic, that after Christianity has been the exalting theme of our homes and altars for the last eighteen hundred years, we yet cling to the practice of a barbarous age, and sneer at the voice that would echo the glad tidings, On earth peace! to men good-will!' The sword continues the arbiter of nations, and we turn from reason and humanity to the worship of physical force. Might,' and not Right,' is the motto emblazoned on our Christian banners. But each age has also its apostles-men who refuse to lie down with the idle and the timid,-who believe they have

been gifted with noble faculties for noble purposes, one of which being the progress towards a higher morality. They startle the time with the promulgation of a new faith; they go forth into the highways and byways and gather about them a small band of eager listeners, who become charmed with the utterance of a language that had long been stirring near their own hearts. Through storm and trial,-the bitterness that springs from the alienation of friends, through the coarse and savage antagonism of opponents, amidst the shrug and the sneer, this small knot of pioneers march on, clearing the way for the crowd which a still small voice' whispers them will assuredly follow. Such has ever been the advance of great truths,-quietly but surely finding passage to the heart and head of man. Each decade of the present century presents a remarkable illustration of the fact. The wheel continues revolving, it may pause for a time, but it never turns back. Every step in advance brings some additional aid for future progress, and for every mound that is gained, a wider and a brighter prospect stretches out in the distance.

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"In the record of the great Congress held during the present week, the friends of peace will find much that is gratifying,whilst those accustomed to sneer at what they have pleased to pronounce as Utopian, may observe an approach to the practical scarcely-anticipated by hard-headed scepticism. Large accessions to the noble list of earnest disciples give encouragement to those more immediately engaged in the good work. The Archbishop of Paris is amongst them; men of science are there too-Dr. Brewster not the least in the group, -even men whose trade is war' will be found denouncing the brutal doctrine that man is made to war with man. If the society had done nothing more than inspire the denizens of different countries, trained under the influence of varied institutions, with one great and righteous sentiment, it would have accomplished sufficient to call forth a God speed' from every seeker after truth; but its aims are loftier still, and will yet meet with the reward of all great effort."

The Hull Advertiser has long signalized itself, by its undaunted denunciation of the War system, and a bold and open espousal of the principles and policy of Peace :

"The Peace Congress," says its able and true-hearted editor, "harmonizes well with the peaceful Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations! Though at present but the bow of God in the cloud -a sacred pledge that the reign of violence is circumscribed on earth-we clearly foresee that the day is not distant when the advocacy of Peace principles will number among its supporters the great and good men of all nations. These principles are gaining ground very rapidly. Members of parliament are beginning to profess them, and men of science are tendering their adhesion in considerable numbers. In most of the principal towns in Yorkshire and Lancashire public meetings were held to select deputies to attend the Congress, and we have not heard that at any of them a voice was raised in support of the military system. This proves the wonderful progress of Peace principles within the last few

"Let the friends of Peace take no heed of such as tell them to confide the success of their mission to the pulpit only. Most ministers of religion have yet to be themselves taught the principles of Peace. When we hear them from their pulpits denouncing the horrible trade of war-when we hear them invoking parents to educate their children in a holy horror of the depriving a fellowcreature of life at the bidding of any authority whatsoever, then, indeed, it may be safely left to them to accomplish what is now proposed to be done by Congresses of Peace advocates. Then good men of all nations will listen to them. Meanwhile the Peace Congress is preparing the way for them, by directing the attention of the most eminent men in every part of the world to the subject of the desirableness of universal Peace. The labours of the members are not restricted to this or that locality, but extend to the limits of the civilized world. What they say is repeated in all languages, and in every region of the earth. This constitutes the real triumph of the Peace Congress!"

The Huddersfield Chronicle, while stating frankly some of the difficulties which it feels in connexion with this movement, and bears its testimony nevertheless, in the following generous

ungrudging style to the great influence for good which it is everywhere exerting.

"Some one, we believe worthy old LEIGH HUNT, has said that 'force hath not half the power of gentleness;' and acting on this conviction, the friends of universal Peace year by year migrate from all points of the earth, concentrate themselves in some huge city, where the battlements of a warlike age long past allow them to pursue their deliberations unmolested-yesterday we find them denouncing the war-system' in Paris, where but recently the blood of her citizens had flowed through her public thoroughfares; again we find them almost within the sound of bristling cannons at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, and but last week we hear of them again as ardent and as eloquent as ever, in our own metropolis,―abating not one jot of their high principle, but with their whole discussions characterised by a marked advance, as we think, in tone and temper on that displayed at preceding conferences. This was to be anticipated. Enthusiasm is a feature common to all new movements, the Peace Society, with all its Quaker mildness, not excepted.

After stating the great change that has been effected in public opinion in this country on the subject of war, and declaring that "these desirable results are in a great measure owing to the indefatigable exertions of the Peace Society," it thus proceeds:

"We see, it is true, many difficulties of magnitude which beset this peace movement, but we also see that the men who are at its head have been capable, in recent times, of totally changing, by their active exertions on public opinion, the whole fiscal system of the greatest commercial nation in the world-we see, moreover, that a movement which has so many arguments in its favour on the ground of religion and morals, as those advanced by Sir DAVID BREWSTER in his admirable address on the opening of the Conference, must have weight with nations and individuals,-and we also see in the simple fact of Sir DAVID BREWSTER'S presence, and in such a capacity, a power and an influence developing itself in connexion with this movement which will have the most beneficial influence on the most warlike of foreign states. If the immediate result be not the reduction of armaments, and a diminution of the consequent pecuniary burthens which now press so heavily upon the tax-paying classes, it will at all events have a tendency to keep the sword in its scabbard-it will prevent an appeal to arms until more pacific means have failed, it will cause public opinion to watch with a jealous eye the nature, expense, and utility of a warstaff in times of peace; and it will, as we believe, as undoubtedly it is most desirable it should, lead to the ultimate adoption of the leading features of the benevolent and humane scheme which the Peace Congress have with much temperance and talent, now taken fairly in hand.

The Sheffield Independent says very admirably :-

"The Peace Congress does not profess to have discovered any new truth. All that can be said against war and for peace, has been said and written a thousand times. But the merit of the Peace Congress is, that it forces the old truth upon the minds of men with increased power. It reiterates and revives all the lessons which conscience, experience, and history have taught; and gives them a special application to the present time. It draws together men of rank, learning, influence, and energy, to declare to one another and to the world how deeply they have felt the truths which the principles of peace involve, and it brings the weight of their combined judgment to bear upon society. The influence of its operations is vastly enhanced by the plan of summoning from all parts of the civilized world, the friends of peace; and still more by holding the Congress in different countries. Thus a degree of interest is created in the minds of men, far beyond what any merely local operations could produce. From widely distant parts the streams of influence are made to converge upon the point selected; and by changing that point, new centres are created from which the light may be again diffused. These operations tend also to make themselves felt in high quarters. It is a novel thing for the rulers of nations to see the people of England and France, Germany and Denmark, Belgium and Spain, Austria and the United States, combining to influence the destinies of the world. Little more than two centuries ago the English parliament was reproved for audacity if it presumed humbly to petition the Crown on matters of public concern. Now we see the subjects of

crowns and of republics alike combining to modify the policy of all governments, and their efforts are hailed by all wise rulers as grateful aids to their own best designs.

"We can hardly have a more striking proof of the value of Peace Congresses than the frequency with which the name is adopted. In the House of Lords we find the Exhibition described as a true Peace Congress. The entertainment given to the foreign commissioners in London was styled a Peace Congress. To the Parisian fêtes to the English commissioners and to the Lord Mayor of London, speakers and writers again assign the name of the Peace Congress. The Peace Congress, then, has given a name and an idea to every meeting of men of various lands when they gather for honourable rivalry or friendly greeting. Does not this attest how powerfully the movements of the Peace Societies have arrested the attention even of men who care not to join in them? Does it not show how truly the men of peace have caught the spirit of the age! Men who will not go to the Peace Congress, who perhaps would rather deride it, shew their secret conviction of the worthiness of its aims by borrowing its name, and hailing any other mode of advancing the principle which it embodies."

The Western Times, which is well-known to be the most influential paper in the west of England, and edited with eminent ability, says:—

"It will be seen by the reports which we give of the proceedings of this Society, that the meetings of the present year exhibit a growing feeling of respect for the principles of peace, and a wider circle of advocates of international peace. It no doubt appeared a quixotic and a hopeless affair at the outset, to preach to the several nations the desirableness of looking more to the principle of arbitration than to resort to arms and bloodshed for the settlement of any differences that might arise between them. But however hopeless it might have appeared at the outset, the love of peace and a conviction of the extravagance and folly of war are gaining ground. We do not expect to see the savage propensity of war suddenly got rid of in a day or in the life of an individual; war has been too long taught, and its glories have been too long held as the highest of human attainments, to enable the spirit of Christian love, the convictions of reason, and the instincts of common sense, to overcome it at once. At one time it was held that you never could keep men from fighting: but most men fancy that they can keep themselves from fighting-each man knows how he can control himself-especially in the presence of a competent tribunal; and nations begin to feel that in the presence of their national debts, they have a solemn monitor who warns them, and binds them, to keep the peace. The Peace movement is no longer considered either utopian or ridiculous; and that is something gained. Indeed, if unreasoning folly and brutal ignorance be fair subjects for ridicule, the resorting to blows to settle questions between nations is supremely ridiculous-in the eye of those who have not to bear the brunt or pay the bill of battles."

The Birmingham Mercury, in an article entitled Our Peacemakers and our Law-makers, contrasts the proceedings at Exeter Hall with those in our two Houses of Legislature during the same week, in a strain of considerable severity

"Whatever may be the mistakes of the extreme partizans of peace, the proceedings of the Peace Congress force themselves upon our thoughts in favourable contrast with the doings of the Lords and Commons during the present week.

Disbelievers in great principles may cast scorn and ridicule upon the disinterested efforts of the friends of peace; the sordid Times and the flighty Chronicle may studiously disparage the proceedings of the Peace Congress, and proclaim its annual meeting mere romantic enthusiasm and unprofitable talk; but we defy the most sober, practical, and calculating Englishman to affirm that our peace-makers have not spent their time this week more profitably than our Legislators. To impress upon the world the huge evil of standing armies, to set forth the claims of arbitration, to hold up a great principle in the eyes of the nations is surely a somewhat more useful and noble occupation than to pass a statute which will not be carried into execution, or to quarrel about the position of a member who has been duly elected. We, who do not take rank among the extreme partizans of peace, who hold that justice and liberty are still more precious than peace, and deem it the right and duty of a people to unsheath the sword in defence of national existence, we can yet afford a cordial welcome to