The Committee hope, in the first place, to interest our Government at Washington in the objects contemplated by the proposed Congress. As this can be done only through the prompting of the people, they recommend petitions like the following:—
"PETITION FOR PEACE.
"To the Honorable Senate (or H. of R.) of the United States.
"The undersigned, inhabitants (or citizens, or legal voters) of——, in the State of——, deploring the manifold evils of War, and believing it possible to supersede its alleged necessity, as an Arbiter of Justice among Nations, by the timely adoption of wise and feasible substitutes, respectfully request your honorable body to take such action as you may deem best in favor of Stipulated Arbitration, or a Congress of Nations, for the accomplishment of this most desirable end."
As the number of delegates to the proposed Congress is not limited, the Committee hope to see States, Congressional Districts, Towns, and other bodies represented. Every delegate will be a link between the community, large or small, from which he comes, and the cause of Universal Peace.
The Committee recommend a State Convention in each State to choose a State Committee, and also two delegates at large from the State;
Also a Convention in each Congressional District to choose a delegate;
Also public meetings in towns, and other smaller localities, to explain the objects of the Congress, and to choose local delegates.
The Committee also recommend to the religious and literary bodies of the country, as churches and colleges, to send delegates to the Congress.
In making this appeal, the Committee desire to impress upon their fellow-citizens the practical character of the present movement. Instead of the custom or institution of War, now recognized by International Law, as the Arbiter of Justice between Nations, they propose, by the consent of nations, to substitute a System of Arbitration, or a permanent Congress of Nations. With this change will necessarily follow a general disarming down to that degree of force required for internal police. The barbarous and incongruous War System, which now encases our Christian civilization as with a cumbrous coat of mail, will be destroyed. The enormous means, thus released from destructive industry and purposes of hate, will be appropriated to productive industry and purposes of beneficence. To help this consummation who will not labor?
The people in every part of the country, East and West, North and South, of all political parties and all religious sects, are now invited to join in this endeavor. So doing, while confident of the blessing of God, they will become fellow-laborers of wise and good men in other lands, and will secure to themselves the inexpressible satisfaction of aiding the advent of that happy day when Peace shall be organized among nations.