liked to knock down, that he will teach him his kind ways, and warn him solemnly from me, never to copy his poor brother, but to scorn revenge. As for the battle, it staggers one to think of words for it. I have scars both with musket-ball and sword's point; but my wounds were nothing to some. I was fallen, and half buried under my shot horse, when the enemy were running, sword in hand, pricking bodies to see if they were dead. I covered my eyes, and bore without starting. There was not much thinking during the engagement; but I have reflected since, and read, too, when possible. Happy, happy Richard, safe from guilt and horror like mine!

"I saw poor Rooke fall at my side, and could not give him a look. Poor fellow! my boy-companion for years, left there, and for what? I sometimes think I should not have felt half so much about the sin of war and revenge, if I had never seen how differently religion and kindness worked-never had the example that should have made me a better man.

"How New Testament readers can defend fighting I know not; for I believe that most adversaries, if met as I was that time, would be as powerless as I was.

He

settle any question of controversy. The contending powers must come to some negotiation or arbitration at last, after all their fighting. Why should they not then resort to this method of adjudication, before having recourse to arms? He said that, at the present stage of civilisation, one power did not expect to extinguish or to make a conquest of the other, but that its sovereignty should be retained, whatever might be the issue of the struggle. This circumstance made arbitration all the more reasonable and necessary. He continued in this strain for a few minutes, when I remarked that his views must coincide with those developed in our Peace Congress in favour of arbitration; and asked if he could not approve of that mode of adjustment, as advocated on those occasions. He said the difficulty would be in finding impartial arbitrators, especially in a case in which the United States were concerned; as all the European powers would be directly or indirectly committed in favour of the European party in the controversy. referred to their interference with the people and interests of the American continent, as a case which arbitration would not reach, and in which war, with all its horrors, would be a less calamity than submission to this interference. He said that these powers must "keep their hands off" from this continent, and that so long as he remained in his present position, he should deem it his imperative duty to maintain the "Munroe doctrine." I asked if it was his opinion that this doctrine should be enforced retrospectively. He replied with much emphasis, "Certainly not." The present possessions of the European powers in North America should be respected, but that no new ones should be acquired, and no arrangements organised to impede the An Hour in the "White House." expansion of the United States in any After waiting in the reception room for a legitimate direction. He alluded, with a few minutes, the President came in, and good deal of earnestness, to the intimation was very affable and cordial. He intro- of an alliance between England and France, duced me to the two other guests, and then to prevent the acquisition of Cuba by the sat down by me, and commenced a lively United States, lying, as it did, in the imconversation, which soon turned upon the mediate path of our commerce and connecsubject of peace. I was almost surprised tion with the Pacific States of the Union. at the force and emphasis of his declara- He seemed to regard the attempt of those tions in reference to this question. He said powers, to maintain the possession of that no one could more fully appreciate the island for Spain, as an effort to blockade miseries of war, than he who had witnessed and bar the highway of our commerce in them with his own eyes, and taken part in the Gulf of Mexico. When I suggested its scenes. For himself, he felt an intense that they might conceive their own West abhorrence of the system, not only for its India possessions imperilled by the annexahorrors, but for its folly. It could not tion of Cuba to the United States, he said

"I felt like a chained lion, till my heart sunk, and I found there was no piercing through such a shield as shone before me. Oh, Richard, the onset !-the closing in!~ If the beating of hearts sounded like the beating of drums, there would be some tales told that moment amid the bravery. Remember me to all I know. Tell them to learn what Christianity means, and live in peace. May there yet be mercy for, dear Richard, the poor, unhappy

"CHARLES SWINBURN."

there could be no just grounds of such an returned to the drawing-room, and the apprehension on their part. In connexion President retired to his official business, with this and the "Fishery Question," he after shaking all his guests cordially by the referred to the proneness of the people of hand. We remained a few minutes in conall countries for war and warlike manifes-versation with the ladies, and I explained tations. He intimated that Mr. Crompton briefly the Olive Leaf Movement, and the had also felt this to be a difficulty, in the interest and activity which the ladies in adjustment of questions of controversy Great Britain had manifested in the disbetween nations. semination of the ideas and principles of

Here Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Means peace at home and abroad. I gave them entered the room, and the conversation on copies of our little publications on the subthese topics was suspended. After having ject, and then took my leave, much gratibeen introduced to them, we proceeded to fied at such an hour at "The White the dining-room. All the arrangements House." E. B. were very quiet and simple. When the company were seated, the President bowed EDITOR'S OMNIBUS. his head reverently, and invoked the Divine: blessing in a somewhat extended supplica- Personal Operations.-In the April numtion, uttered with great solemnity. Con- ber of the Bond we stated the reasons that versation was then resumed, and carried on led us to postpone our tour into the Southern in a most natural and easy way. I sat States, and to remain at Washington for a between Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Means, few weeks. We are still at the seat of nearly opposite the President, and they all Government, and expect to remain here a asked many questions in reference to my while longer, to operate in behalf of Ocean sojourn and experience in Europe. This Penny Postage. We have already had gave me a good opportunity to describe the proofs that this is the very best point at Ocean Penny Postage Movement in Eng- which to concentrate our efforts for this great land, and to mention many incidents illus- postal reform. Since our arrival in Washingtrating the bearing of the present high ton we have had daily access to the authorirates upon the poor. I referred to the ties of the General Post Office department. "show of hands" that was taken at the One of these gentlemen, who was, at that conclusion of the public meetings, to ascer- time, at the head of the foreign bureau, tain how many had friends beyond the sea. has just been promoted to the office of The President listened to these particulars Assistant Postmaster General. He is espewith lively manifestations of interest, occa- cially interested in cheap ocean postage, and sionally mentioning a fact in evidence of willing to do all in his power to promote it. the importance and value of cheap ocean Through his means the recent arrangement postage. Conversation then turned to the was made, by which a single letter is convisit of the English Friends, and the Presi- veyed, any distance within 3000 miles of dent spoke of them in terms of great respect. New York, all the way to Bremen, for Mrs. Pierce said they had presented to her 10 cents, or 5d., which pays for all the serquite a library of the biographies of dis- vices performed upon it by land and sea. tinguished members of their society, which And now, within a few days, the first great she anticipated much gratification in reading. step has been taken, through his instruI then adverted to the mission of Joseph mentality, towards the establishment of a Sturge and his companions to St. Peters- Universal Ocean Penny Postage. An burgh; to their interviews with the Em- arrangement has been concluded, by which peror and Empress, and to the cause and a single prepaid letter is to be conveyed extent of the influence which English from any town in the Union, within 3000 Friends had with that court; referring miles of New York, to Australia, for five especially to Daniel Wheeler and William cents, of which three are for the American Allen. I also spoke of the character and inland rate, and two, or one penny, for the labours of the late William Forster; of his ocean transit. This establishes the prinphilanthropic and self-sacrificing labours ciple of the proposed reform completely, and in Ireland, during the famine in that that, too, in a direction involving a distance country; of his mission to the various equal to half the circumference of the globe, courts of Europe; and of other illustrations or the longest mail route on which it could of his devotion to the glory of God and the be applied. Here is a precedent from which good of man. After dinner, the company the United States' Government cannot

recede, in any future ocean postal arrange- The Olive Leaf Movement in America ments with foreign countries. Nor is this is progressing favourably. The new Circles designed to be the only step in this direc-in New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, tion. The very "Order," signed by the Providence, and North Brookfield, are President, authorising this arrangement, coming into the work with zeal and activity, directs also that the same rate shall be while the older societies are retaining all established between the United States and their first interest in the cause.

The Circle

any "other foreign country to which the in New York, composed of Friends, will transportation may be obtained at not undertake to distribute the Leaflets in all exceeding two cents (1d.) per letter." the schools in that city, besides defraying There are not only fleet-winged sailing the expense of publishing an Olive Leaf ships, but powerful screw steamers, that monthly in some continental journal. At make the passage, on an average, in fifteen their suggestion, and with their special codays, ready to convey all the letters that operation, a new packet of Leaflets is to be cross the Atlantic for two cents per half brought out, written entirely by American ounce. It is quite certain that the United ladies. These will add to the variety of States' Government will never pay more little lessons in the law of kindness for than this sum per letter for transportation children which we have already for circuacross the occan, in any future contract with lation. We hope to see this new addition steam-ship companies. The only obstacle to our peace literature through the press that apparently stands in the way of an before we leave for England. immediate and universal establishment of this transit rate, on the part of the United States, is the present contracts with the American lines of steamers plying between this country and Europe. Many think that we must wait until these contracts have expired before it will be safe to adopt a universal Ocean Penny Postage. But a few simple facts will prove that such a delay is not necessary. For, although about £240,000 per annum are paid to these American steam-packet companies for conveying the mails across the Atlantic, the whole amount of sea postage received on all the letters they transported last year did not much exceed £60,000. There is no doubt that this small sum would be insured by the increased correspondence which an Ocean Penny Postage would induce. We believe Congress will take this view of it, and not wait for the expiration of the present contracts before adopting this low rate. General Rusk, the chairman of the Senate Postal Committee, has agreed to bring in a report in favour of this measure, in a week or ten days. So, before the next Bond goes to press, we hope to have some decisive issue of this question to communicate to the friends of the reform in Great Britain. But as the ready co-operation of the British Government is indispensable to the cstablishment of an Ocean Penny Postage across the Atlantic, we hope every advocate of the measure, throughout the United Kingdom, will lend a hand in creating and directing that pressure of public sentiment which shall ensure that co-operation in the present year.

The Free-Labour Movement. -The plan for extending this movement, to which we have referred in the two last numbers of the Bond as not fully developed, is now pretty nearly launched, and will, we believe, be effective and acceptable. It will be a quiet enterprise, like the Olive Leaf Mission, requiring no public meetings, nor any prominent show of organised efforts. We hope it may commend itself to the sympathy and support of all the Olive Leaf Circles that desire to associate an anti-slavery element and effort with their other benevolent activities. Perhaps they will regard it as a proper and desirable object for a FreeLabour Bazaar, when they come to understand its character. It may seem to them rather a large enterprise. It is certainly one that must be conducted with great prudence and discretion, for it will be exposed to more chances of embarrassment than the Olive Leaf Mission on the Continent. Before we return to England we hope to see the plan well matured, and placed upon a wide and solid basis. Several earnest and true friends of the Free-Labour Movement enter fully into this new measure. gentleman who may be considered the origi. nator of the idea is willing to subscribe 500 dollars, or £100 per annum, for ten years, to carry it out to the extent he contemplates as necessary. Other friends have subscribed liberally also. In the next number of the Bond we hope to be able to state the proposition, pure and simple, without comments or explanations. These it may be more desirable to make the subject of small, social conferences, like those at which the

The

Olive Leaf Societies have been formed. We middle of June, and to see, in their own will merely say now, that the plan pro- places of residence, those we should have posed is one to which we expect hereafter been so happy to meet at the Anniversary to give the time and attention which we Meeting of the League of Brotherhood. have bestowed on the Ocean Penny Postage

movement.

Our Return to England.

The readers of

E. B.

Washington, U.S.A., April 10, 1854.

the Bond will see, from the present number, that our plans of operation have been much modified since our arrival in Washington, in AN OLIVE LEAF FOR THE PEOPLE.

BY ELIHU BURRITT.

February. We are anxious to see some definite and large result of the Ocean Penny The Legality of War.-The idea of Postage movement before we leave America; right has always mixed itself with war; and we deem it equally necessary that and this has kept out of view the real chathe free-labour plan, to which we have racter of most of the conflicts of nations. alluded, shall be well launched, and ready The sovereign, regarding the right of war for the active and immediate co-operation of as an essential attribute of sovereignty, has those who may approve it. It is also of on this ground ascribed a legitimacy to all great importance that more Olive Leaf national hostilities, and has never dreamed Societies shall be formed in the United that in most of his wars he was a murderer. States, to assist in spreading the ideas of So the subject has thought himself bound peace, in a larger dissemination, in foreign to obey his sovereign, and, on this ground, countries. We should be extremely glad if has acquitted himself of crime, has perhaps there should be American Circles enough imputed to himself merit, in fighting and organised to pay for the insertion of the slaughtering for the defence of the most Olive Leaf in twenty additional journals on iniquitous claims. Here lies the delusion the Continent of Europe, so that they may which we should be the most anxious to take an equal part with the sister-bauls in remove. It is the legality ascribed to war, Great Britain in this quiet mission of peace on account of its being waged by governand good-will among men. To accomplishment, which produces insensibility to its this, we must yet make long journeys in the horrors and crimes. When a notorious States and in the Canadas. Thus, we think, robber, seized by Alexander, asked the conit will be impossible for us to reach London queror of the world, whether he was not a in season to attend the next anniversary of greater robber than himself, the spirit of the League of Brotherhood. We have the hero repelled the title with indignation. looked forward to this meeting with pleasant And why so? Had he not, without proanticipations, but now we are constrained vocation or cause, spoiled cities and realins, to relinquish the hope of being present on whilst the robber had only plundered indithe occasion. But we earnestly hope that viduals and single dwellings? Had he not no one, who feels an interest in the opera- slaughtered ten thousand innocent fellowtions of the League, will stay away on that creatures, for one victim who had fallen account. If compelled to be absent by the under the robber's knife? And why, then, circumstances we have mentioned, we hope did the arch-robber disclaim the name, and to communicate to the meeting, by pen, all seriously believe that he could not justly be we should say in person, in reference to our confounded with ruffians? Because he was experience and operations in America. As a king, the head of a State, and, as such, this year abundant notice will be given of authorised to make war. Here was the the time and place of our annual meeting, shelter for his conscience and fame. Had we trust all the members of the Olive Leaf the robber, after addressing his question to Circles, and other friends of the objects they | Alexander, turned to the Macedonian promote, who may be in London during the soldier, and said to him, "Are you not, too, yearly meeting of Friends, will make it a a greater robber than I? Have not your duty, as well as a pleasure, to be present on hands been busier in pillage? Are they the occasion. Surely, all those who attended not dyed more deeply in innocent blood?" the soirée at the Bridge House Hotel, last The unconscious soldier, like his master, May, will not need a pressing invitation to would have repelled the title; and why? participate in the enjoyment of a similar "I am a subject," he would have replied, season of social fellowship and intercourse. "and bound to obey my sovereign; and in We shall expect to be in London about the fulfilling a duty, I cannot be sunk to the

But

level of a most hated criminal." Thus is, the prejudice to a certain extent in its king and subject take refuge in the right of favour, founded on the belief in its necessity. war, which is supposed to inhere in The consciences of all good men condemn sovereignty, and thus the most terrible it as a crime, a sin; even the soldier, whose crimes are perpetrated with little reproach. profession it is, confesses that it is to be -Dr. Channing. resorted to only in the last necessity. a benevolent and omnipotent God cannot render it necessary to commit a crime. When war is called a necessity, it is meant, of course, that its object cannot be gained in any other way. Now I think that it has already appeared with distinctness, approaching demonstration, that the professed object of war, which is justice between nations, is in no respect promoted by war; that force is not justice, nor in any way conducive to justice; that the eagles of victory can be only the emblems of successful force, and not of established right. Justice is without passion, but war lets loose all the worst passions of our nature, while high arbiter Chance more embroils the fray.

then, that war is a necessity; and may our country aim at the true glory of taking the lead in the recognition of these, as the only proper modes of determining justice between nations.

Death on the Battle-Field. The stoutest heart would recoil, were he who owns it to behold the destruction of a single individual by some deed of violence. Were the man who at this moment stands before you in the full play of energy and health, to be in another moment laid by some deadly aim a lifeless corpse at your feet, there is not one of you who would not prove how strong are the relentings of nature at a spectacle so hideous as death. There are some of you who would be haunted for whole days by the image of horror you had witnessed-who would be so pursued by it, as to be unfit for business or for enjoyment-who would think of it through the day, and it would spread a The various modes which have been gloomy disquietude over your waking proposed for the determination of disputes moments-who would dream of it at night, between nations, are negotiation, arbitraand it would turn that bed, which you tion, mediation, and a congress of nations; courted as a retreat from the torments of an all of them practicable, and calculated to ever-meddling memory, into a scene of rest-secure peaceful justice. Let it not be said, lessness. We cannot bear thus to pause, in imagination, on the distressing picture of one individual; but multiply it ten thousand times; say how much of all this distress has been heaped together upon a single field; give us the arithmetic of this accumulated wretchedness, and lay it before us with all the accuracy of an official computation-and, strange to tell, not one sigh is lifted up among the crowd of eager listeners, as they stand on tiptoe, and catch every syllable of utterance which is read to them out of the registers of death. O! say, what mystic spell is that, which so blinds us to the sufferings of our brethren; which deafens our ear to the voice of bleeding humanity, when it is aggravated by the shriek of dying thousands; which makes the very magnitude of the slaughter throw a softening disguise over its cruelties, and its horrors; which causes us to eye with indifference the field that is crowded with the most revolting abominations, and arrests that sigh which each individual would singly have drawn from us, by the report of the many who have fallen, and breathed their last in agony along with them ?-Dr. Chalmers.

Another prejudice in favour of war is founded on the practice of nations, past and present. There is no crime or enormity in morals which may not find the support of human example, often on a most extended scale. But it is not to be urged in our day, that we are to look for a standard of duty in the conduct of vain, mistaken, fallible man. It is not in the power of man, by any subtle alchemy, to transmute wrong into right. Because war is according to the practice of the world, it does not follow that it is right. For ages the world worshipped false gods, but these gods were not the less false because all bowed before them. At this moment, the larger portion of mankind are heathen, but heathenism is not true. It was once the practice of nations to slaughter prisoners of war, but even the spirit of war recoils now from this bloody sacrifice.-Hon. Charles Sumner.

War viewed in any Light.-I take the liberty of assuming for myself the character The Prejudices in Favour of War.- of a practical man. I have seen with One of the most important of the obstacles extreme satisfaction the formation of someto be encountered by the advocates of peace thing like a great association, which shall