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Convictions of the Universal Peace Union

AS ADOPTED AT THE

TVVENTY—Elt}l’l'l‘l'l ANNUAL MEETING,

Mrs'ric, CUNN., AUGUST 16, 1894.

Whereas, Peace is an essential element in the development of man, his
progress and happiness, and Whereas, it must be deserved in order to be secured ;
Therefore we are Convinced—

’ and re-

Ist. We must “follow after those things which make for peace,’
move the causes and abolish the customs of war.

2d. That until human life is held so sacred and inalienable that no human
authority can destroy it by legal enactments upon the scaffold or battle—field,
we may expect peace to be broken, and war and bloodshed to continue. And
so long as there is a legalized sale of pistols and other deadly weapons, and
so long as the drunkard, the insane, the criminal, and the misguided can buy
them, we may expect bloodshed, suicides, assaults and assassinations, and as
we would prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquor, likewise should we pro—
hibit the sale of deadly weapons.

3d. ’l‘hat mediation, arbitration and conciliation are competent to settle
every difficulty, and the claims of civilization and religion are not answered
until these peace agencies be practically recognized in private and public life,
among and between all nations; and where voluntary arbitration is rejected,
conciliation should be provided by law. The action at Chicago in the Fifth
International Peace Congress in appointing a committee to select a commit»
tee of jurists, publicists and eminent men in different countries; to formu—
late an International Court of Arbitration, was wise and opportune, and we
trust the committee so selected will report at an early date.

4th. That the United States Government deserves high honor for inviting
other governments to form international treaties of arbitration, for appointing
a commission to investigate recent strikes, and for acting as arbitrator on
several occasions.

5th. That a War Department is inconsistent with government and should
be supplanted by a Peace Department that would comprehend such adjustment
of difficulties and such educational methods as would prevent the recourse to
deadly force, by furnishing a permanent, wise and impartial tribunal, open at,
all times to meet any emergency. , , > /

6th. That any increase ofthe army and navy or State militia is unnecessary,
unwise and detrimental to peace, imitating the worst features of monarcl‘lQl,ftK
countries and leading our country into military despotism. ” »

7th. That military drilling of boys and young men in schools and churches
is fraught with the gravest dangers. Both school-house and church are thereb
perverted from their high purposes and the pupils are diverted from the mt ;

./ "pigtvlectual, mriral and religious intfluences th t school and church profess to tegh
”" ’ "‘ _, . iotism that is. dep‘endei t upon drillin-r - boys as soldiers, 15 1194‘" ,I ‘

worthy of the name of‘ patriotism; ' , Ci day School that hasto
depend updnv military drill'o b0 unwort‘ " 'he mm?
a Christian Sunr. . . h ,_ ' '