Carolina may soon become fields of devastation and blood. A hope, however, is entertained, that in this instance the hostile spirit will not prove contagious; and that such wise and conciliatory measures will be adopted, as may secure to the United States the continuance of peace. But who can deny that the spirit and the language of the two Governors are such stuff as war is made of?" or that such menaces from men in their situation, are more deserving of censure, than the usual challenges for private duelling? Should the Negroes of those states fully imbibe the spirit of the Governors, how horrible must be the result! "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just!" Nor is it easy to account for the imprudent language of these public men, on any other ground, than that of the "strong delusions," to which rulers seem to be judiciously given up, when God is about to visit a people with the vials of his displeasure.

The Osage Chiefs mentioned in the preceding article, and the Southern Chiefs mentioned in this, form a wonderful contrast. The following problems are therefore submitted to exercise the minds of our readers :-Which class of Chiefsthe Red or the White, appears to possess the greater share of genuine philanthrophy, patriotism and magnanimity? Which will probably appear to the greater advantage in future history.

N. B. Since the above was written news, from S. C. has arrived that a Bill is before the Legislature of that state, designed to modify the law of 1823, and to render it less objectionable. "The prudent man foreseeth the evil," and we hope that there are yet many such in that state.

AUSPICIOUS OCCURRENCES.

1. "A Society has been formed in London for diminishing the cruelties practised towards animals. The object of this Society is not to prosecute the culpable under the meagre and equivocal provisions of law; but to appeal by varied forms of publication to the understanding and feelings of the public."-When men shall have had their eyes opened respecting the various forms of barbarity exercised towards the brutes, it may be expected that they will more clearly perceive the cruelties of mankind towards each other.

2. During the last session of the British Parliament, Mr. Hume called their attention to the impressment of seamen. The only defence set up by its advocates is, "that it is a necessary evil, an occasional violation of the rights of individuals, and of the constitution, for the purposes of a paramount policy." But, says the Christian Observer, "It is not just to inflict upon a particular body of men a grievous and exclusive hardship for the alleged general welfare."-This remark may be extended to every form of impressment, conscription, or enticement, by which individuals are deprived of their natural rights as citizens. Besides, is it not a fact, that not only impressment and conscription, but the whole business of war is a continual “ violation of the

rights of individuals"-defended on the ground of "a paramount policy?” Yes, a barbarous policy by which the rights, the happiness, and the lives of one portion of a community are inhumanly sacrificed for the real or imaginary benefit of the other!

3. At the close of the late session of the Parliament of Great Britain they were assured by the King, that he continued to receive from all foreign governments the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards that country; "and," says the monarch, "you may rely on my endeavours being invariably directed to the maintenance of general peace."

4. In the late Message of President Monroe, he observes-" It has been the invariable object of this government to cherish the most friendly relations with every power, and on principles and conditions which might make them permanent." He also assures us, that the propositions which had been made to the governments "of Great Britain, France, Russia, and other powers"relative to privateering or maritime depredations on private property in time of war, "have been received in a friendly manner by all"-though no treaty on that subject had yet been effected. In speaking of the Indians within the limits of the several states, Mr. Monroe has displayed feelings which do honer to him as the President of a Christian nation. "To remove them," he says, "by force, even with a view to their own security and happiness, would be revolting to humanity, and utterly unjustifiable."

5. Dec. 14. On motion of Mr. Wright of Ohio, a vote was obtained in Congress, instructing the Committee of the Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of providing certain penalties, in relation to officers of the United States, military or civil, who should be in any way concerned in duelling. The penalties suggested were, that the individual so offending should forfeit bis office, and be forever after incapable of holding any office under the government of the United States.

6. Nov. 4th, 1824.-At a house in Philadelphia, once the property and residence of William Penn, eighteen Gentlemen met to celebrate the Landing of that venerated man, the founder and first Governor of Pennsylvania. One hundred and forty two years had elapsed since his first arrival in Philadelphia. Peter S. Duponceau Esq., having been chosen President of the meeting, delivered an Address-in which he gave a concise view of the character of William Penn, whom he represented as "one whose fame is only bounded by the extremities of the earth." In the course of his remarks he justly observes-" It is unfortunately too true, that greater respect is paid to the memory of those who have distinguished themselves by the destruction and subjugation of their species, than those whose constant aim has been its preservation and improvement." What a reproach to mankind! and how dreadful the evils brought on our race by this inconsistency! Can then any thing be more philanthropic and laudable, than an attempt to change public opinion and common practice, on a subject so interesting to humanity? At the meeting of the eighteen Gentlemen, arrangements were made for exciting the Pennsylvanians to institute an Anniversary Celebration of the Landing of their "Immortal Founder." We record these facts as auspicious, in the belief that it will be impossible to do justice to the character of William Penn, at the proposed Anniversaries, without such a display of his be nevolent principles and pacific policy, as will be the means of opening the eyes of many, and of thus advancing the cause of philanthropy and peace. But should military parade or licentious revelling be associated with the honors intended for William Penn, how glaring will be the incongruity!

7. Since our last number was published, two new Peace Societies have been reported-One at Rupert, Vermont, Austin Johnson, Corresponding Secretary: the other at Alfred, N. Y. Nathan Pirce, Corresponding Secretary.

8. The differences between Great Britain and Algiers, which were expected to result in war, have been amicably settled.

9. There has been a considerable stir among the militia of Maine, from a

determination to have a new system. Some propose to have the arms found by the state and the militia paid for training. A military convention lately met at Portland and agreed to apply to the Legislature for certain alterations in the militia system.

This we record as favourable, believing that on many accounts the subject demands examination; and in a full belief that the more impartially and thoroughly it shall be examined, the more it will be seen that the present militia system is oppressive to the poor, injurious to the morals of society, and ill adapted to promote either the happiness or the safety of the country. Perhaps nothing but habit and delusion could for so long a time have reconciled a free people to a species of annual tax of such an amount, so little adapted to its professed object, so pernicious to the morals of thousands, and so manifestly unequal in its bearings on different classes of individuals. Of other taxes men are required to pay according to their ability; but of this, he who is not worth a cent, and who has a family to support by day-labor, bas to pay as much as the man who possesses a million of dollars!

NOTICES.

THE Constitution of the Massachusetts Peace Society requires the subscription of one Dollar annually to constitute a member.

The subscriptions in each year to be paid on or before the first day of February; and one half of the subscription is refunded in Peace Tracts at the wholesale price, the Friend of Peace at ten cents a copy.

The numbers of the Friend of Peace prior to the present year, may also be had by subscribers, of the Editor, at 10 cents a copy, or 10 dollars a hundred.

The several Nos. of the Friend of Peace are also for sale at the Boston Bookstore, Cummings Hilliard and Co. No. 1 Cornhill, and at the Bookstore of J W Burditt, No 94 Court Street.

Any member who shall fail of otherwise receiving his copy at any quarterly distribution, may obtain it by applying to Mr. Burditt.

N B. The Treasurer of the M. P. S., Mr. David Reed, will receive subscriptions, at No 4, Spear's Buildings, Congress Street, Boston. All who can do it with convenience are desired to make their payments to him; those who cannot without expense settle with the Treasurer, may send their subscriptions inclosed to the Corresponding Secretary, as Post Master in Brighton, and he will return receipts.

N. B. As the progress of the Society must depend much on a becoming zeal, and punctually in its members-all the members of the M. P. S. are earnestly requested to reflect on the infinite importance of the object for which the society was formed, and to show their zeal in its cause by the strictest punctuality in the payment of their annual subscriptions. It is a matter of deep regret that we have occasion to say, that there has been in a considerable number of respectable members such delinquency as was not anticipated. This has subjected the executive committee to embarrassment, in conducting the affairs of the Society, as the Tracts have been published and distributed annually, with reliance on the subscriptions. It is hoped that this notice will be kindly received, as it is kindly intended.

N. WORCESTER,{
S Chairman of the

Committee.

THE

FRIEND OF PEACE.

Vol. IV.....No. IV.

66

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROJECT OF COLUMBUS.

FERDINAND and Isabella paid so much regard to Columbus as to remit the consideration of his plan to the Queen's Confessor. He consulted such of his countrymen as were supposed to be best qualified to decide: Some of them contended that a voyage to those remote parts, which Columbus expected to discover, could not be performed in less than three years. Others concluded, that he would either find the ocean of infinite extent, or, if he should persist in steering towards the west beyond a certain point, that the convex figure of the globe would prevent his return. Even without deigning to enter into any particular discussion, many rejected the scheme on the credit of a maxim, under which the ignorant and unenterprising shelter themselves in every age that it is presumptuous in any person to suppose that he possesses knowledge superior to all the rest of mankind.' They maintained, that if there were really any such countries as Columbus pretended, they could not have remained so long concealed; nor would the wisdom and sagacity of former ages have left the glory of the invention to an obscure Genoese Pilot. "It required all Columbus's patience and address to negotiate with men capable of advancing such propositions. He had to contend not only with the obstinacy of ignorance, but with what is still more untractable, the pride of false knowledge."

Robertson's History of America, pp. 65, 66.

Objections similar to those above stated have, perhaps, been urged against every new and important step which has been proposed, in the march from the grossest barbarism to the present state of knowledge and civilization. Near the close of the debates in the British House of Commons, on the resolution for abolishing the slave trade, the Earl of Westmoreland said, "He condemned the resolution as a libel upon the wisVol. IV. No. 4.

1

dom of the law of the land, and upon the conduct of their ancestors."* This is of the same import as the last objection against the project of Columbus. Of equal weight are the objections which are urged at this day against the attempts to improve the condition of mankind by the abolition of war. But if the principle of such objections be good now, it has been equally good from the days of Abraham, down to the present day. Had it been adopted by all men of Abraham's time, and steadfastly adhered to by them and all their posterity, what would have been the present condition of the nations now called civilized? No innovation, and of course no improvement, could have been made in the arts and sciences, and no advances in civilization, or the means of human subsistence and comfort. Had the principle been adopted and established but two thousand years ago, and invariably pursued, how could the Christian religion ever have obtained belief, either among Jews or Gentiles? The language of the Earl of Westmoreland might have been adopted by every description of people to whom the gospel was proposed. Each person might have said, "I condemn the gospel as a libel upon the wisdom of the laws of the land, and upon the conduct of our ancestors." At a still later period the principle might have wholly precluded from the world the art of printing and all its benefits. And should it now be universally adopted and adhered to as correct and sacred, no further improvements could be made in this country or any other; and of course the predictions of a period when "the nations shall learn war no more," could never be accomplished. Those nations, which are now Mahometans or Pagans, must for ever reject the gospel, and the Christian nations must for ever retain their present errors, and remain stationary.

But

The people of the present age find in the history of former times hundreds of laws, usages, and customs, which they reflect on with emotions of astonishment and horror. notwithstanding all the evidence of human fallibility, afforded by history, observation, and experience, still there are thousands of people who stand ready to oppose almost every important proposition for meliorating or improving the condition of society. As soon as any thing new is proposed, of a philanthropic character, they are ready to say-Had such a project been wise or safe, why was it not adopted by our ancestors? Is this "Genoese Pilot" to discover a new world,