Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 20.djvu/27

Rh among men, which America in 1838, about the measures for abolishing war, came to the conclusion that the establishment of universal peace could be based only on the obvious recsociety for the establishment of peace

existed in

ognition of the

commandment

of non-resistance to evil

39) in all its significance, as this was understood by the Quakers, with whom Garrison stood in When he came to this conclusion, he friendly relations.

(Matt.

v.

formulated and proposed to the society the following declaration, which was then, in 1838, signed by many

members.

DECLAKATION OF SENTIMENTS ADOPTED BY THE PEACE CONVENTION, HELD IN BOSTON IN 1838 " We, the undersigned, regard it as due to ourselves, to the cause which we love, to the country in which we live, and to the world, to publish a Declaration, expressive of the principles we cherish, the purposes we aim to accomplish, and the measures we shall adopt to carry forward

work

the

of peaceful

and universal reformation.

We

cannot acknowledge allegiance to any human We recognize but one King and Lawgovernment. giver, one Judge and Ruler of mankind. " Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind. We love the land of our nativity, only as we "

.

.

.

.

.

.

The

interests, rights, and liberties no more dear to us than are Hence we can allow no those of the whole human race. appeal to patriotism, to revenge any national insult or

love

all

other lands.

American

of

injury.

We

"

itself

citizens

are

... conceive, that

if

a nation has no right to defend its invaders,

against foreign enemies, or to punish

no individual possesses that right in his own case. The unit cannot be of greater importance than the aggregate. But if a rapacious and bloodthirsty soldiery, throng.

.

.