it to advance in the same ratio for ten years to come, it would contain more members than there were of free adults in the United States during the time of the Revolution. Though such advances in future are not to be expected, it is reasonable to anticipate an increase of Peace Societies and Peace Characters, both in this country and in Great Britain, which will have a favourable influence on the policy of the two nations, and on the destinies of the world. In any Society composed of many members, some diversity of opinion may exist, as to the best means for attaining its object. If it be so in Peace Societies, it is no more than was anticipated; and this very circumstance affords opportunity for the display of those sentiments of candor, forbear. ance and conciliation which are eventually to abolish hostilities among men. As war is the genuine fruit of barbarism, unchristian principles and passions, every occurrence indicating the progress of light, civilization and christian benevolence, is justly regarded as favourable to the objects of this Society. The extensive interchange of benefits and expressions of gratitude, resulting from thousands of moral, religious, and beneficent Institutions, are binding together the people of different countries with the cords of universal philanthropy ; and the more there are of these ties, the more there will be of human agents to exert an influence for the prescrvation of peace and the prevention of war. To the prevalence of benign and conciliatory sentiments, may be imputed the remarkable tranquillity which accompanied the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. In the transactions relating to that event, an example was given of the value of pacific dispositions in adjusting claims of high importance. To the extent that such dispositions. predominate, war will of course be avoided; for men never fight from love one to another. Duelling, like public war, has long been practised as an honorable and necessary mode of deciding controversies. or redressing wrongs; and it is indeed far the less unjust and horrible of the two. But this Gothic practice is sinking in public estimation. In this vicinity it has been proved that a man may decline a challenge with the applause of his fellow citizens,-while the challenger escapes the hand of justice by flight. In Alabama a law has recently been enacted, which exposes the duellist to be forever excluded from any office of honor or profit in that state. The fatal combat of two Commodores induced expressions of indignation against the practice, in perhaps every respectable newspaper in the country. From these facts it may be inferred, that duelling will soon cease to be regarded as an honorable mode of settling disputes, and of course be confined to men who have no reputation to lose. Stabbing is another species of war, little know in New England, but more common in the Southern and Western states. This practice has called forth a law for its suppres sion in Indiana, and a Remonstrance from a Grand Jury in Virginia. Enlightened men in those regions have discovered, that the practice of preparing for this species of war, by "wearing arms," has been the occasion of "numerous instances of stabbing." Those who are acquainted with analogical reasoning may now be able to account for the frequency of national contests. They may also be led to reflect on the exterminating havoc which would have resulted, had duelling and stabbing been as much encouraged as public war has been, by education, applause, and the patronage of governments. Privateering" a relic of the ancient piracy," and a branch of modern warfare, is losing its reputation among reflecting men. During the last session of Congress, the Committee on Foreign Relations made a Report, which was accepted by the House of Representatives, and well adapted to hasten the abolition not only of Privateering, but the whole system of maritime depredation. It may also be observed, that a luminous article on the subject has been circulated through the country, in the North American Review; and that one hundred copies of the Article were printed in the form of a Tract, and the greater part of them were presented to the Committee for distribution, by the Author-that intelligent and amiable member of our Society, whose unexpected decease has so recently filled our hearts with grief. The numerous instances of piracy, the trials, condemnations, and executions for that crime, which occurred in the course of the year, have probably caused many to reflect on the palpable barbarism and injustice of similar depredations when practised under licenses from Christian governments! In proportion as inhuman customs become the subjects of reflection, the more their enormitics are perceived and abhorred. Fifty years ago the African Slave-trade was generally regarded in our country, as a just, necessary, and honorable species of traffic. Men engaged in it with as little suspicion of its immorality, as they engaged in buying and selling oxen and horses. But in 1820 by a law of Congress, this inhuman traffic became piracy, and punishable with death. What then can hinder a similar change in public sentiment, as to the necessity, the justice, and the glory of war! One discovery prepares the way for another. Those who are already convinced that Duelling, Stabbing, Privateering and the Slave-trade, are needless and savage practices, will naturally inquire, whether there be not other things still popular, which are equally abhorrent to reason, religion, and philanthropy. Such inquiries will not be in vain; and they may result in a full conviction, that the practice of making war on unoffending colonies and innocent subjects, to revenge the wrongs of their rulers, is as repugnant to the principles of benevolence and moral justice, as any of the crimes for which felons are doomed to the gallows. The policy of our ancestors, in offering a premium of one hundred dollars for every Indian Vol. II. No. 11. 3 scalp-though popular in Massachusetts less than a hundred years ago is now regarded with horror. But an en ightened posterity may be unable to see in what respect this conduct is more immoral or inhuman, than other methods of exciting the spirit of war, which are still practised by Christians; and they may be of the opinion. that offering such premiums was less censurable than the common practice of employing one tribe of Indians to destroy another. Thus, by the progress of light, civilization and philanthropy, barbarous principles and usages, one after another, may be discovered and exploded, -till the enormous superstructure of public war shall be diminished, undermined, overthrown, and consigned to infamy and oblivion. Through the influence of beneficent exertions, the principles of universal brotherhood are acquiring an ascendency in the hearts of men. When such principles shall be imbibed by the rulers of nations, and cherished by them in their subjects, with the same ardor that the spirit of war has been encouraged, a new state of society will be introduced ;—war will lose its infatuating charms ;-the energies of men will be displayed in saving rather than destroying-in doing good rather than mischief. Then the song of Ang Is will resound through the world,-Glory to God in the higheston earth peace-good will among men. "And though long-distant be the hour, Bright herald of an age of peace." From the Herald of Peace. PLACES OF DEPOSITE FOR TROPHIES. WHITE, in his Letters on England, mentions the "tattered and dusty flags," which he saw suspended in St. Paul's Cathedral at London. "Some of them were taken during the war with America." He observes- A place of worship is not fit for the emblems of war. These should be placed in a legislative hall, a war or naval office, a hospital for seamen or soldiers, or a palace." He adds, "I was both surprised and disgusted to behold this part of the building thus disfigured with the trophies of successful valor." Vol. i. pp. 268, 269. If St. Paul were to look down from heaven and see a place of Christian worship, bearing his name, decorated with the trophies of fighting valor," what would be his feelings? Would he not weep for the inconsistency of Christians, and blush to find his name thus associated with the emblems of war and bloodshed? We agree with Mr. White, that a war or naval office, a hospital for seamen or soldiers," would be more proper places for depositing such trophies." We cannot however agree with him, that they should be placed either in a "leg islative hall, or a palace," unless it be done to reproach legislators and sovereigns for their inhumanity in promoting wars. Instead of the "legislative hall or the palace," we would propose the state prison and the gallows, as the most proper places for exhibiting bloodstained trophies. For war furnishes a very great number of the victims who suffer at these places of punishment; and many of those conquerors, who have obtained such trophics, were as deserving of the prison or the gallows. as those who have actually been imprisoned or executed. What malefactor was ever more deserving of an ignominious death, than those princes and generals, who have been most proud of their trophies,—and most eulogized for their bloody conquests? If "war makes thieves, and peace hangs them," what should be the punishment of men, |