We may mark and measure the currents and forces of mind, not less than those of matter; and the ultimate prevalence of peace is as demonstrable as a proposition in dynamics. If we compare the forces which formerly effected changes in opinion, with those now operating, we see a mighty increase, both of momentum and velocity. Formerly, such changes were the work of a few, operating on a few, by philosophy or by power; but now the masses argue themselves into conviction, under the influences of self-interest and philanthropy. These masses are no longer serfs, but citizens. They no longer consent to be despised, worked, taxed, and shot at for their rulers, as a fate to which they were born, and which they could not so much as enliven with a hope; but claim the potentialities of learning, wealth, and ́position. Resistance to their elevation diminishes as the superincumbent stratum is diminished. Kings and nobles, imbued with the same spirit of progress, find no inducement, and have no longer the power, to repress the general uprising. When we add to this calculation, the tendency of the age to associated action, we see how resistless is the march of mind, and how certain to be swept away are the remaining barbarisms of the age. There is no need to overturn thrones, abolish distinctions, confiscate wealth, or weaken law; for those who learn to govern themselves, always learn to respect the interests and rights of others, and to recognize lawful authority. There is need to abolish war, for it is ever been begun in iniquity, and carried on to the damage of every social interest; but its abolition will create no panic in men's hearts, no struggle against conscience, no commotions in society, no reactions of sentiment. As duelling, and the slave-trade, and other enormities, have been abolished, without convulsions, and without regrets, so will war be. It is but a question of time.

2. We draw another encouragement from the constant improvement in international law. The absorption or oppression of feeble nations by the strong, is now condemned by general consent. Never till the Congress of Laybach, was the doctrine broached. which was afterward so solemnly affirmed at the Congress of Vienna, that nations have a mutual interest in each other's condition. Never, till lately, have statesmen troubled themselves about maintaining a balance of power. We have already seen Greece aided when oppressed by Turkey, and Turkey when. menaced by Russia. The combination of nations to relieve Africa of the slave-trade, and the aid extended to Italy in assuming her place among the nations, are indications of the same spirit. The French Revolution of 1798, struck the midnight hour of despotism, and ushered in the morning of human brotherhood and equality. Even then, the blessed doctrine was so falsified by exaggeration, and so turned to frenzy by fanaticism, that the era of its development was an era of horrors. Yet, since that period, France has twice revolutionized herself no less radically, without licentiousness, and without cruelty.

This interest of nations in each other is shown in that, before one of them ventures to make war the consent of other powers is coming to be necessary. Witness the late Crimean, and the present Mexican war. England seemed lately ready to make war on us, had she obtained the consent of France. Witness, too, that glorious novelty of modern times, monarchs offering to meditate between hostile nations, and peacefully settling great controversies by friendly arbitration. Witness, too, the blessed fact that in six or seven recent important treaties, there are express stipulations that any controversy, on subjects growing out of them, shall be submitted to arbitration, and the award be final.

Never till Grotius, and Puffendorf, and Bynkershoeck, was international law treated as a science. Some of their doctrines are crude, and the question is not yet settled whether such law is founded in nature, in usage, or in mutual interest; but they gave an impulse in the right direction, which gathers strength continually, and which nothing can check unless Christianity can be overthrown. The aim of the American Peace Society is the perfecting of international law; and every symptom in the political world is cheering. It is announced that, at the approaching meeting of the Social Science Society, a plan will be brought forward for forming

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a code of the sea, to be agreed on by all nations." Mr. Cobden, also, has called the attention of the British Parliament to the state of maritime law. The affair of the Trent, in which England ignored her own precedents, and withdrew her claim to be mistress of the sea, has waked Europe to the need of settling the rights of neutrals and belligerents; just as the affair of the Merrimac and Monitor, has waked her up to see the uselessness of certain forts and fleets, built at a boundless cost. The settlement of maritime law will draw after it a code for the land also. course, by the establishment of a Court, to adjudicate cases under this code; for it will be seen that without such a tribunal, the family of nations would be in no better condition than would one nation, with good laws, and no courts nor magistrates.

This will be followed, of

Lastly. It is evident that in all respects the world is coming up to a higher civilization. We need go back but a little, to see many great evils universally prevalent, which are now abolished. Lunatics were loaded with chains. Prisoners of war were mutilated, or kept as hostages,

or released only by a great ransom, or made slaves for life. Armies did not respect private property. The slave-trade and piracy were honorable professions. Foreigner and enemy were synonyms. Resident ambassadors were not allowed by any government.* Lettres du cachet, star chamber writs, and the capricious orders of Kings, set law and liberty at defiance. Brutal judges compelled jurors to convict innocent men against their consciences. No man could travel without a passport. Death was the penalty of nearly two hundred kinds of offence even in enlightened England. Licentiousness, drunkenness, duelling, and wearing a sword, to be always ready for a bloody broil, were marks of gentility. Supposed witches were burned. To possess a Bible was a felony, and to hold a prayer meeting incurred the pillory. The holiest of men were executed and martyred, while the established clergy were pampered monsters of idleness, ignorance, and profligacy. But time would fail us to recount the abuses which have been reformed, or the improvements which have been effected, within a century. All mark progress in civilization, stimulated and sustained by Christianity; and all evince a steady growth of the influences which are working out these healthful changes. Every discovery and correction of a wrong, is followed by the discovery and acquisition of a right; while every advance is secured, and made permanent by new institutions, and the power of habit. What is there to stay this improvement till civilization shall bear the full image and superscription of Christianity, and abolish that last, worst, mightiest mischief-war itself?

Man's normal state is not war, but peace; not acquiescence under wrong, but progress toward right. He will come to

*Ferdinand of Arragon, in the 15th century, was the first to permit such resi dents at his court.

see that a custom which has slain twenty times the present number of males on earth, destroyed thirty times the present value of all the property in the world, and produced more misery than any other evil, is intolerable. That day is not distant. A change of sentiment on this subject is at hand, which will sweep like a tide; and existing influences, long repressed, will operate at last with an energy which will resemble a sudden excitement, rather than the result of deliberate convictions.

The change which marks this year, and this country, for the rapid development of antagonism to slavery, indicates and exemplifies the suddenness and resistlessness of the coming development of antagonism to war. Slavery, so generally regarded as an incurable evil, has been faithfully, though at first feebly, attacked by argument, and the public conscience has been growing more enlightened and more sensitive on the subject, from year to year, till at last when it shouted defiance and trailed Fort Sumter's banner in the dust, and drove from its midst all who could not join in its praise, it revealed itself as intolerable. Then came its culmination and its doom; and at the fall of Fort Sumter a nation of abolitionists was born in a day. The millions of the free rose as no nation ever rose before, to save the nation's life; and the few who still would speak soft words for slavery, are laggards in the progress of opinion, and powerless defenders of a by-gone

error.

So will it be with war. Long have men sung pæans to peace in the abstract, and tolerated war in the concrete, till instead of the raids of olden time, and the conquest of weak nations by the strong, wars have grown to huge dimensions among the mightiest empires, subsidizing every art and science, taxing every movement of industry, and carrying desolation to every