The War System of the Commonwealth of Nations: An Address Before the American Peace Society, at Its Anniversary in Boston, May 28, 1849

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The Society, 1854 - 80 pages
 

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Page 31 - What Constitutes a State? WHAT constitutes a State ? Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, Thick wall or moated gate — Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned — Not bays and broad-armed ports, Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride — Not starred and spangled courts, Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. No; men, high-minded men...
Page 2 - We make daily great improvements in natural, there is one I wish to see in moral philosophy; the discovery of a plan, that would induce and oblige nations to settle their disputes without first cutting one another's throats.
Page 27 - An Inquiry into the Legal Mode of Suppressing Riots, with a Constitutional Plan of Future Defence...
Page 80 - He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Page 6 - This right of natural defence does not imply a right of attacking : for, instead of attacking one another for injuries past or impending, men need only have recourse to the proper tribunals of justice. They cannot therefore legally exercise this right of preventive defence, but in sudden and violent cases when certain and immediate suffering would be the consequence of waiting for the assistance of the law. Wherefore to excuse homicide by the plea of self-defence, it must appear that the slayer had...
Page 17 - Horror-struck, we ask wherefore this hateful contest ? The melancholy, but truthful answer comes, that this is the established method of determining justice between nations ! The scene changes.
Page 7 - It may be as much a duty, at one time, to resist government, as it is, at another, to obey it; to wit, whenever more advantage will, in our opinion, accrue to the community, from resistance, than mischief.
Page 16 - Nearer came the storm and nearer, rolling fast and frightful on! Speak, Ximena, speak and tell us, who has lost, and who has won? "Alas, alas! I know not; friend and foe together fall, O'er the dying rush the living: pray, my sisters, for them all!
Page 17 - ... with shivered masts and ragged sails — exist only as unmanageable wrecks, weltering on the uncertain waves, whose temporary lull of peace is now their only safety. In amazement at this strange, unnatural contest — away from country and home — where there is no country or home to defend — we ask again, wherefore this dismal duel? Again the melancholy but truthful answer promptly comes, that this is the established method of determining justice between nations.
Page 2 - And so it is not a great matter how long men refuse to believe the advent of peace : war is on its last legs; and a universal peace is as sure as is the prevalence of civilization over barbarism, of liberal governments over feudal forms. The question for us is only How soon...

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