Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/24

 10 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

blies of Europe, and also because some of these societies, as nple, the Norwegian "Great Council," Storthing, have undertaken to defray the expenses of their delegates. From year to year these assemblies have assumed a more solemn and imposing character. Held at first in a hotel parlor, they have been convened in the capitol of Rome and presided over by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, and at Berne in the Fed- eral Palace where they were received by M. Numa Droz, the present Minister of Foreign Affairs and twice President of the Confederation, at the Hague, and at Brussels in the Senate Chamber, with the approval and cooperation of the ministers and even of the President of the Council. In the intervals between the sessions of this Interparliamentary Union, composed of the most select of the national representatives, it is repre- sented by a delegation of fifteen members presided over by Dr. Gobat, and it is charged to watch the political horizon in the name of the Union. I have often shown the importance of this organization, which, it goes without saying, does not exist for the purpose of limiting the independence of any nation or to set itself above the parliaments to which its members belong. It is indeed a higher parliament, but one which possesses its influence through the weight and character of its members themselves and which exerts a moral authority at least, which must be tnken into account.

Enough has certainly been said to give even the most incredulous an idea of the rapidity with which the peace move- ment has developed in Europe, especially of late. I am far, however, from having pointed out all the indications. If I were to do this with the least degree of completeness, I should have to write a whole volume instead of a magazine article.

I have said nothing of the Peace Sunday instituted in Eng- land, that from every pulpit whose minister espouses this cause there may be heard on the same day, the same vows and the same prayers. Nor of the Congress of Religions at Chicago, which, though not held in Europe, has just published for Euro- pean readers, a detailed report of its proceedings which shows