World Affairs Institute

PROF. S. F. B. MORSEAuthor(s): Samuel F. B. Morse and Cyrus W. FieldSource: Advocate of Peace (1847-1884), New Series, Vol. 3, No. 41 (MAY, 1872), pp. 181-182Published by: World Affairs InstituteStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27905300 .

Accessed: 14/06/2014 19:36

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

World Affairs Institute and Heldref Publications are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extendaccess to Advocate of Peace (1847-1884).

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 91.229.229.111 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:36:40 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

THE ADVOCATE OF PEACE. 181

arguments and considerations of much cogency and force.

These essays have had much influence in this and in other

countries, and the positions taken in tbem have been gaining adherents, year by year, among the best thinkers of the world.

The following passages with which he concludes- these essays were eloquent and forcible at the time they were written.

How much more eloquent and forcible they have been rendered

by the events that have transpired, and the progress in civili

zation, that has been made during the forty years since they were penned : ?

" Since the beginning of the world, there has never been so

favorable an opportunity for a great movement for the promo tion of universal peace. There is a general pause among the nations, an awakened expectation, an earnest hope of some

permanent good, at the same time a doubt and hesitation whither to turn their course, a fearful looking for of the return of past evils with a desire to avoid them; and if we can

rightly read the signs of the times, like men in great perplex ity, who know not where to place the basis of their hopes, they

would hail the proposition of an international Congress as a solace for the past, and a joyful harbinger for the future.

" Is not, then, a Congress of nations, one of the means, which Providence and the Word of God clearly points out ?

" In our estimation, such an assembly would be the most

pleasing and decisive commentary on the purifying influences of the Gospel, from which influences alone, as felt in the con duct of Christians, in conversation, and in the well wrought issues of the press, it would result. It would present itself as an object, fitted to enlist the regards of all men. The philoso pher would mark it, and pronounce it good. The Christian in all countries, from his home on Alpine heights and from his

dwelling-place in humble vallies, in the secret chambers of re

ligious meditation, and in the companies of the noisy and rest less world, would turn his eye to this grand assembly, and feel that Prophecy is fulfilled.

"let us indulge the inspiration of so great a theme. Let us place before us this Universal Parliament, which contains in itself the extract and the essence of the wisdom of all climes.

And how gloriously it strikes upon the sense, and amplifies and fills the imagination ! When the rude Gauls entered the

city of Rome, and saw the venerable Senators seated in silence to receive them, they were filled with admiration at the dignity of their appearance. They read, in their staid countenances and motionless lips and marble brows, a stern integrity, and a patriotic devotedness to their fallen country ; and the hearts of the barbarians were strongly moved.

"But the Congress of nations is not a silent assembly ; it

speaks to the sight, but it speaks to the ear also. And in what a voice ! With what depths of research and learning !

With what profound and harmonious eloquence ! Would not such an assembly command the attention of the world ; that

broad, deeply interested world, which they would have for their audience ? Would not the voice of war, always ready to break out in threatenings and blood, grow silent at their frown?

Would not wisdom emanate from their lips, which would en

lighten the obscurities of public law, and spread an effulgence over the too long perplexed and darkened pathway of nations ? As in ancient times, distinct and powerful communities resorted to the Senate of Rome for the settlement of their difficulties,

we should now see nations, powerful in arts and in arms, re

sorting to them for their advice ; but they would come to a

purer and more exalted tribunal. Their jarring differences are settled ; their drawn swords are returned to the scabbard ; and they go back to their hills and vallies, their vines and their

fig trees ; and beside the cool fountain and the overarching shade, and around the domestic hearth, no longer visited by sudden and cruel alarms, they celebrate the dominion of peace, and the triumph of universal justice.'1

Would that the good man had been spared to witness the

realization of his great hope. His love for the cause of Peace

strengthened with the advance of his years. In July last he

wrote us, "

You may count fully upon my personal esteem and

friendship, as well as my cordial co-operation in all your efforts

in promotion of the great and good cause of Peace. But I am

quite old, being in my seventy-third year and feeble in health, and have recently lost the sight of one of my eyes so that I

cannot do much, but my heart is with you." His heart was indeed with us. For feeble as he was, and

notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, he attended

our Peace meeting at Cooper Institute, New York, in Decem

ber last. We all felt his presence on that occasion was a bene

diction, and the influence of his hearty words of sympathy and encouragement spoken to us at the elose of the meeting will ever abide with us. The noble qualities of his mind and

heart expressed themselves in his countenance and the tones

of his voice. His whole bearing and mien were indicative of

what he was, a true Christian gentleman. In the death of such an officer, we need not say our Society

has sustained a great loss. He was a tower of strength. He

rests from his labors and his works do follow him. May the

God of Peace, his God and Father, raise up many to enter into

and carry forward to its glorious consummation a cause so dear

to his heart and to the hearts of all the lovers of God and man.

PROF. S. F. . MORSE.

Another illustrious name has been added to the roll of the

departed, that of Samuel Finley . Morse, the Father of the

Telegraph. His was one of the names that was not born to die.

He is sure of a place in history as one of the greatest benefac

tors of the race.

Let our nation and the world, by fitting ceremony commem

orate his life, and the inestimable services he has rendered to

mankind. Those who are laboring for Peace on earth and

among the nations, have especial cause for honoring his mem

ory and eulogizing his deeds. It is true, he is a man who by his

deep scientific knowledge and his energetic persistency has done more than any other to bring distant points and countries to

gether, thereby hastening the day of universal civilization. And is it not worthy of our grateful notice, that Mr. Morse's chief desire respecting his great invention was that it might promote Peace on Earth.

It will be remembered this was the prominent thought in what was said on the occasion of placing his statue in Central Park. And the letter which we give, written by Prof. Morse to Cyrus W. Field, only a few weeks ago most beautifully manifests the same desire. He speaks of the telegraph as a "powerful ad vocate of Peace on Earth." And how impressive his appeal to the convention ! "In the interest of human happiness of that

Peace on Earth which in announcing the advent of the

Saviour the angels proclaimed with good will to men," &c.

New York, Dec. 4, 1871.

My Dear Mr. Field : Excuse my delay in writing you. The excitement occasioned by the visit of the Grand Duke Alexis has but just ceased, and I have been wholly engrossed by the duties connected with his presence.

I have wished for a few calm moments to put on paper some

thoughts respecting the doings of the great Telegraphic Con vention to which you are a delegate.

The telegraph has now assumed such a marvellous position in human affairs throughout the world ; its influences are so

great and important in all the varied concerns of nations, that its efficient protection from injury has become a necessity. It is a powerful advocate for universal peace. Not that of itself it can command a "

Peace, be still/' to the angry waves of human passions, but by its rapid interchange of thought and

opinion it gives the opportunity of explanations to acts and to laws which in their ordinary wording often create doubt and

suspicion. Were there no means of quick explanation, it is readily seen

that doubt and suspicion, working on the susceptibilities of the

This content downloaded from 91.229.229.111 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:36:40 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

182 THE ADVOCATE OF PEACE.

public mind, would engender misconception, hatred and strife. How important, then, that in the intercourse of nations there should be the ready means at hand for prompt correction and

explanation. Could there not be passed in the Great International Con

vention, some resolution to the effect that, in whatever condi

tion, whether of peace or war between nations, the telegraph should be deemed a sacred thing, to be by common consent ef

fectually protected, both on land and beneath the waters ? In the interest of human happiness of that ** Peace on earth,"

which, in announcing the advent of the Saviour, the angels

proclaimed, with *? good will to men," I hope the Convention

will not adjourn without adopting a resolution asking of the na

tions their united effective protection to this great agent of

civilization. The mode and the terms of such resolution may be safely

left to the intelligent members of the honorable and distin

guished Convention. Believe me as ever, your friend and

servant, Samuel F. B. Morse. Hon. Cyrus W. Field, Rome, Italy.

When this lettter was read at the Telegraphic Convention,

prolonged cheers were given for its author, and the letter itself

was ordered to be printed among the records of the Convention.

BEV. WM. STOKES, Who has for a long time enriched the columns of our Advo -

cate, with his most valuable communications, we regret to

learn, has felt obliged by the state of his health, to resign his

official connection with the London Peace Society, after nearly

thirty years as Agent and Lecturer. We are very glad to

know he is still able to render efficient service to the great cause by his pen. Our readers will rejoice to learn that he

will continue to write for our paper. On the receipt of his resignation, the Committee of the

London Society adopted the following resolution : " That the Committee, in accepting the resignation of Mr.

Stokes, desire to record their grateful appreciation of the

long, faithful and efficient services he has rendered, by tongue, and pen, and influence, to the cause of peace ; their deep re

gret that impaired health should oblige him to discontinue

those services, and their earnest prayers that the blessings pro nounced upon the peacemakers may rest abundantly upon him, wherever his future lot may be ordained."

Henry Richard, Esq., M. P., Secretary of the London Peace

Society,.in his letter to Mr. Stokes, transmitting the above

resolution, says : " You and I have worked together for a period of about

twenty-three years, persevering through good report and evil

report in proclaiming the doctrine of peace on earth and good will among men, and during the whole of that time there has not been a jar in the harmony of our mutual relations. I am

not surprised that, after such prolonged services, you should

shrink from encountering the excitement, the late hours, and

the exposure to every kind of weather involved in the work

of a Lecturer. But in retiring from the occupation which you have pursued so long and so ably, you have the satisfaction of

reflecting that there is scarcely a county in England where

your voice has not been heard * publishing peace,' while your

contributions through the Press will, no doubt, be of perma nent value, long after your voice has ceased to be heard."

INDIRECT DAMAGES.

As soon as our " case " was opened, we expressed in the

Advocate sincere regret that it contained the claim for indirect

damages, briefly stating our reasons for the regret. It now

appears that our feeling on this subject is shared by the people of the country quite generally. We hope the following words

of Ex-President Woolsey, the eminent publicist will receive

the consideration they deserve.

We maybe permitted to express our conviction that the

claim of indirect damages has received its full condemnation on this side of the water, as being indefinite and incapable of solution. There are some persons, doubtless, who think that the "

enhanced payment of insurance "

and the loss by a " trans

fer of a large part of the American commercial marine to the

British flag," especially the first, may be estimated in money ; but there are few, I apprehend, who do not talk almost with derision of the claim for damages on account of " the prolonga tion of the war," and for " the addition of a large sum to the cost of the war and the suppression of the rebellion." We believe these matters have been disposed of, as far as the mind of the public is concerned ; and that the great majority of

thinking persons, including all politicians except those, if there be any such, who desire to fish in troubled water, would be

glad to see these indirect claims thrown overboard, as useless and worthless freight on the ship of state sailing on toward an ' *

amicable settlement." We hope that already preparations have been made for such a consummation ; but, if they have not been, we would unite with thousands of others in entreating the Government that no pride of consistency, no conviction even of the justice of such claims, may prevent the strong

opinion, as we think it to be, of the people, from being car

ried out. The money is nothing. No one has expected that

much will ever come into the Treasury from this source. The

cry on all sides is : Speedy settlement, the establishment of the

I principle of arbitration, lasting prospects of peace, good-will

j between the English-speaking nations.

THE SADNESS OF WASHINGTON'S COUNTE NANCE.

BY REV. S. HOLMES, NORTH ADAMS.

I send you the following choice selection to show what was

the effect of the most righteous war ever waged upon its most

honored leader, thus illustrating the character of war itself.

Let the reader particularly notice the first period in the second

paragraph. I cut the extract from The Star in the West.

Having occasion to work from Houdon's bust, I for the first time began to feel an air of sadness which impressed me. The

longer I studied its traits, the more it grew upon me: until at

last my interest was so much excited by what had become the dominant expression, that I reviewed his life, and was deeply impressed by the innumerable causes for melancholy that lay hid den behind the splendid achievements of the man. Professional

jealousies, treachery, the want of comprehension and sympathy, the violation and destruction of many sentiments natural to one who was humane, loyal, law-respecting, and social ? such were among the causes of sadness to this childless hero ; and as I remembered the toils and struggles of his checkered ca

reer, I could not but see abundant cause for unhappiness as

the normal condition of his countenance. True, he had sur

vived and conquered, but traces of his suffering are plainly visible in the portraits taken immediately after the war. It is

only later by twelve years,' when Stuart's portrait was

executed that we see the softening effects of a dignified ad

vanced age, and stern sadness gives way to a venerable benevo lence that makes one grateful that his life was prolonged to the attainment of repose and peace of soul.

I know of no argument against war so instructive and con

vincing as a careful study of the face of Washington at the close of the Revolution. Though it speaks of will and the power of en

durance, though we know that his laurels were purer and

brighter than those won by any other commander, we cannot

but realize that his soul had been tortured and his spirit out

raged so that human glory had become a weariness and a

vanity. Irresistibly led to such unlooked for and unwelcome conclu

sions by observation of Houdon's bust, I could not but feel that there was an element in Washington which had not* been

sufficiently accented in the estimates of his character. I refer to his faith, not speaking in the sectarian sense, but in view of what constituted the religious and moral atmosphere by which his spiritual blood was purified and his soul strengthened to do its work.?R. S Greenough.

This content downloaded from 91.229.229.111 on Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:36:40 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions