Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/22

8 the importance which has from year to year been attached to these pacific assemblies and the power of the permanent institution which has grown out of them. The congress of 1889, at Paris, and that of 1890, at London, held their sittings in the: halls, which in itself was something. That of 1891, at Rome, however, held its first meeting in the capitol, where it was officially received by the syndic of the Eternal City, with befitting pomp. That of 1892, at Berne, was presided over by the most esteemed and popular man in all Switzerland, Louis Bouchonnet, formerly at the head of the government of the Confederation, and now Minister of Justice. At Antwerp, in 1896, the congress was received by the Burgomaster in the Town Hall and a delegation of the members had the honor to be presented to the king. This was a good deal, but by no means enough. From one year to another the bonds which united the different societies were apt to become relaxed. Unforeseen circumstances, demanding immediate action, arose sometimes in these intervals, for which no provision had been made. The peace party, in spite of its occasional grand demonstrations, was not an organic, living body. It is only since the establishment of a legally incorporated International Bureau in Switzerland, under the direction of a council elected annually, that the different peace societies have become united in an organic whole, and this bureau, being as it is, a center of information and activity, is the heart and brain of the whole movement in both the old world and the new. It has accomplished for international peace and justice that which has been done in other departments by international postal and telegraph bureaus, and by international copyright laws. By this means all the dif- ferent publications on this subject are collected, news is recorded, information obtained, doubtful or obscure questions explained, propositions forwarded and opinions received. Thus it is com- ing to be, under the efficient direction of its indefatigable general secretary, M. Elie Ducommun, the living soul of the great body of peacemakers all over the world. It is an institution already powerful and destined to be recognized as a public benefit, not only by