Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 5.djvu/285

 CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Westminster and to join hands with us in the assertion of those great principles of peace and good will which were so incalculably advanced by the head of the Russian State, the author and convener of the first Hague Congress.

I make no comment on the news which has reached us this morning ; this is neither the place nor the moment for that. We have not a suf- ficient acquaintance with the facts to be in a position to justify or criticize.

But this at least we can say, we who base our confidence and our hopes on The parliamentary system : New institutions have often a disturbed, if not a stormy youth. The Duma will revive in one form or another. We can say with all sincerity, "The Duma is dead: long live the Duma."

The time is approaching to which we are all looking forward with intense interest and anx- ious hope when the delegates of your various nationalities find themselves once again at The Hague, there to renew their labors in the cause of peace. I can only end as I began by wishing success to your deliberations. May they pave the way to far-reaching and beneficent action.

Tell your governments when you return home — what the members of the British Parliament, whom I see before me, are never tired of telling me — that example is better than precept, that actions speak louder than words ; and urge them in the name of humanity to go into The Hague Congress, as we ourselves hope to go, pledged

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