The Book of Peace; A Collection of Essays on War and Peace (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1845. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... WAR AS A JUDICIAL REDRESS. We are advocates for civil government; but, when war is compared to a judicial process, and vindicated as a method of determining right, and punishing guilt, we protest against such an abuse of terms. We inquire for its character, not in barbarous ages or countries, but among civilized nations at the present day. How does it determine right, redress wrong, or punish guilt? Look at a few facts for illustration. England taxed her colonies against their will; and our fathers, indignant at the wrong, drew the sword, and fought until both parties, tired of the struggle, ended the dispute by a negotiation which insured to us a place among the nations of Christendom. Napoleon displeased Great Britain; and in revenge she declared war, and eventually rallied nearly all Europe in desperate and successful efforts for his overthrow. The same power embarrassed our commerce, and impressed our seamen; and, for the punishment and redress of such wrongs, we plunged" into a war of three years, which left, by the treaty of Ghent, all the controverted points just where it had found them. Still later did we differ with England about the boundary between us along the state of Maine, and the territory of Oregon; and warspirits among us called aloud for the savage, brutal arbitrament of the sword to determine in each case where the line ought to run. Such is war; and now we ask, wherein consists its resemblance to a process of justice? Let us examine the question somewhat in detail; and, first, the law, or rule of decision. In all controversies, there must be some standard recognized by both parties, such a standard society has provided in its codes of law; and to these laws every dispute must be referred. The law is common to all, known beforehand ...