Dmp. exci. J. State THE FRIEND OF PEACE. No. I. Vol. II. INTRODUCTION. THE first Volume of this work embraced a far greater variety of topics, relating to War and Peace, than was anticipated at its commencement; and some persons may now suppose, that the subject is so far exhausted that little more can be said on it, either new or interesting. It will however, be found, that the field of inquiry is vast if not boundless; and that what has already been written is but an introduction to what is yet to come. Many of the delusive principles and atrocious usages of war have not been examined; the extent and multiplicity of its evils have not been exposed, and the means for its abolition have been but partially investigated. Something has indeed been done in the course of the last three years, in this country and in Great Britain; but much remains to be accomplished. The barbarous custom which gave rise to these inquiries had been of so long standing-had acquired so. great a share of fame in every quarter of the world, and had been so decorated and embellished, as implying the glory of every country, that it had become like a vast and magnificent receptacle for the dead, whose external pomp and glitter excites admiration and conceals the impurity contained in the vault. By making a small breach in the covering, or partially opening the door, we have an indistinct view of some of the objects within; the more the vault is illuminated, or the garnished covering removed, the more clearly we behold that what is so fair without, is within full of dead men's bones and the dis gusting effects of sin and death. The unfounded and bewildering opinion that wars are inevitable from the nature of man, or the ordination of God-the fame which human folly has attached to the worst of men and the worst of crimes-the majesty and rainbow splendor with which military operations have been accompanied, and the fascinating sound of martial music, have all conspired to mislead the minds of the multitude, and to prevent any powerful exertions to abolish the most unjust and fatal of all the customs by which the race of man has been afflicted. But experience has proved that the minds of men, in relation to war, are capable of being changed, and that strong prejudices may be overcome. Within a very few years, many have experienced an almost total change, both in their views and feelings. We may hence infer, that a similar change may occur in others, till the number of converts shall be so great, that what has been a very popular opinion may become very unpopular. As soon as this shall be the case, rulers will, either from principle or necessity, or from regard to their characters, abandon their sanguinary mode of settling controversies. To be instrumental in producing such a revolution in public sentiment, will continue to be the object of the Friend of Peace. Its success hitherto has been as great as could have been reasonably expected; so great as to afford ample encour agement for redoubled exertions. The heavenly Sovereign, whose cause we plead, and who has thus far smiled on the efforts which have been made, will, we firmly believe, continue to bless the means for the abolition of war, till man shall cease to be the foe of man. AN AFFAIR OF HONOUR. "A letter from St. Mary's, dated March 3d, received at New York, states that a duel lately took place on Tiger Island, near St. Mary's between two midshipmen of the Corvette John Adams. They fought at four paces distant, and both fell mortally wounded. Their names were Caseby, from PennsylvaRia, and Farnley, from Ohio. They were buried at St. Mary's with the honours of war." Chronicle and Patriot, March 24, COMMENTARIES. 1. "Tiger Island"-A very proper name for a place devot ed to such a brutal combat ! 2. "Two Midshipmen"-Officers who had been employed in learning the art of war and revenge. 3. "Both fell mortally wounded"-A just recompense for their folly. Both, however, obtained a victory, in a war for glory, as just and necessary as the wars in general which are made by rulers. as 4. "They were buried with the honours of war"-appropri ate honours indeed! expressive at once of their characters a murderers, the manner of their death, and the insanity of the world. 5. If the declaration "They were buried with the honours of war," means that "the honours of war were buried with them," the report, if true, would call for a day of universal thanksgiving. To open the eyes of Christians it might be useful for the several governments of Christendom to pass an act, that every duellist and every other murderer shall be "buried with the honours of war." 6. To restrain Cesar from robbing the public treasury, Metellus urged the laws of the state. Cesar replied, "Arms and |