Declaration Of Sentiments Adopted By The Peace Convention

Declaration Of Sentiments Adopted By The Peace Convention

 

By William Lloyd Garrison 1838

 

 

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Assembled in Convention, from various sections of the American Union, for the promotion of peace on earth and good-will among men,

we, the undersigned, regard it as due to ourselves, to the cause which we love, to the country in which we live, and to the world, to

publish a DECLARATION, expressive of the principles we cherish, the purposes we aim to accomplish, and the measures we shall

adopt to carry forward the work of peaceful, universal reformation.

 

We cannot acknowledge allegiance to any human government; neither can we oppose any such government by a resort to physical force.

We recognize but one King and Lawgiver, one Judge and Ruler of mankind. We are bound by the laws of a kingdom which is not of this

world; the subjects of which are forbidden to fight; in which Mercy and Truth are met together, and Righteousness and Peace have

kissed each other; which has no state lines, no national partitions, no geographical boundaries; in which there is no distinction of

rank, or division of caste, or inequality of sex; the officers of which are Peace, its extractors Righteousness, its walls Salvation,

and its gates Praise; and which is destined to break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms.

 

Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind. We love the land of our nativity only as we love all other lands.

The interests, rights, liberties of American citizens are no more dear to us than are those of the whole human race. Hence,

we can allow no appeal to patriotism, to revenge any national insult or injury. The Prince of Peace, under whose stainless

banner we rally, came not to destroy, but to save, even the worst of enemies. He has left us an example, that we should

follow his steps. God commandeth It's love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

We conceive, that if a nation has no right to defend itself against foreign enemies, or to punish its invaders, no individual

possesses that right in his own case. The unit cannot be of greater importance than the aggregate. If one man may take life,

to obtain or defend his rights, the same license must necessarily be granted to communities, states, and nations. If he may

use a dagger or a pistol, they may employ cannon, bomb-shells, land and naval forces. The means of self-preservation

must be in proportion to the magnitude of interests at stake and the number of lives exposed to destruction. But if a

rapacious and bloodthirsty soldiery, thronging these shores from abroad, with intent to commit rapine and destroy life,

may not be resisted by the people or magistracy, then ought no resistance to be offered to domestic troublers of the

public peace or of private security. No obligation can rest upon Americans to regard foreigners as more sacred in their

persons than themseles, or to give them a monopoly of wrong-doing with impunity.

 

The dogma, that all the governments of the world are approvingly ordained of God, and that the powers that be in the

United States, in Russia, in Turkey, are in accordance with Gods will, is not less absurd than impious. It makes the impartial

Author of human freedom and equality, unequal and tyrannical. It cannot be affirmed that the powers that be, in any

nation, are actuated by the spirit or guided by the example of Christ, in the treatment of enemies; therefore, they

cannot be agreeable to the will of God, and therefore, their overthrow, by a spiritual regeneration

of their subjects, is inevitable.

 

We register our testimony, not only against all wars, whether offensive or defensive, but all prepations for war; against every naval ship,

every arsenal, every fortification; against the militia system and a standing army; against all military chieftains and soldiers; against all

monuments commemorative of victory over a fallen foe, all trophies won in battle, all celebrations in honor of military or naval exploits;

against all appropriations for the defence of a nation by force and arms, on the part of any legislative body; against every edict of

government requiring of its subjects military service. Hence, we deem it unlawful to bear arms, or to hold a military office.

 

As every human government is upheld by physical strength, and its laws are enforced virtually at the point of the bayonet, we cannot hold

any office which imposes upon its incumbent the obligation to compel men to do right, on pain of imprisonent or death. We therefore

voluntarily exclude ourselves from every legislative and judicial body, and repudiate all human politics, worldly honors, and stations of

authority. If we cannot occupy a seat in the legislature or on the bench, neither can we elect others to act as our substitutes in any such capacity.

 

It follows, that we cannot sue any man at law, to compel him by force to restore anything which he may have wrongfully taken from

us or others; but if he has seized our coat, we shall surrender up our cloak, rather than subject him to punishment.

 

We believe that the penal code of the old covenant, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, has been abrogated by JESUS CHRIST;

and that, under the new covenant, the forgiveness instead of the punishment of enemies has been enjoined upon all his disciples,

in all cases whatsoever. To extort money from his enemies, or set them upon a pillory, or cast them into prison, or hang them upon

a gallows, is obviously not to forgive, but to take retribution. Vengeance is mine—I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

The history of mankind is crowded with evidence proving that physical coercion is not adapted to moral regeneration; that the sinful

disposition of men can be subdued only by love; that evil can be exterminated from earth only by goodness; that it is not safe to rely

on an arm of flesh, upon a man whose breath is in his nostrils, to preserve us from harm; that there is great security in being gentle,

harmless, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy; that it is only the meek who shall inherit the earth, for the violent who resort to

the sword are destined to perish with the sword. Hence, as a measure of sound policy—of safety to property, life, and liberty—of

public quietude and private enjoyment—as well as on the ground of allegiance to HIM who is King of kings and Lord of lords, we

cordially adopt the non-resistance principle; being confident that it provides for all possible consequences, will ensure all things

needful to us, is armed with omnipotent power, and must ultimately triumph over every assailing force.

 

We advocate no jacobinical doctrine. The spirit of jacobinism is the spirit of retaliation, violence, and murder. It neither fears God nor

regards man. We would be filled with the spirit of Christ. If we abide by our principles, it is impossible for us to be disorderly or plot

treason, or participate in any evil work; we shall submit to every ordinance of man, for the Lord’s sake; obey all the requirements of

Government, except such as we deem contrary to the commands of the gospel; and in no case resist the operation of the law,

except by meekly submitting to the penalty of disobedience.

 

But, while we shall adhere to the doctrine of non-resistance and passive submission to enemies, we purpose, in a moral and

spiritual sense, to speak and act boldly in the cause of God; to assail iniquity, in high places and in low places; to apply our

principles to all existing civil, political, legal, and ecclesiastical institutions; and to hasten the time when the kingdoms of

this world will have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of It's Christ, and The Christ shall reign forever.

 

It appears to us a self-evident truth, that, whatever the gospel is designed to destroy at any period of the world, being contrary

to it, ought now to be abandoned. If, then, the time is predicted when swords shall be beaten into ploughshares, and spears

into pruning-hooks, and men shall not learn the art of war any more, it follows that all who manufacture, sell or wield these

deadly weapons, do thus array themselves against the peaceful dominion of the Son of God on earth.

 

Having thus briefly, but frankly, stated our principles and purposes, we proceed to specify the measures

we propose to adopt, in carrying our object into effect.

 

We expect to prevail through the foolishness of preaching—striving to commend ourselves unto every man’s conscience, in the

sight of God. From the press, we shall promulgate our sentiments as widely as practicable. We shall endeavour to secure the

co-operation of all persons, of whatever name or sect. The triumphant progress of the cause of Temperance and Abolition

in our land, through the instrumentality of benevolent and voluntary associations, encourages us to combine our own means

and efforts for the promotion of a still greater cause. Hence, we shall employ lecturers, circulate tracts and publications,

form societies, and petition our State and national governments, in relation to the subject of Universal Peace. It will be our

leading object to devise ways and means for effecting a radical change in the views, feelings, and practices of society,

respecting the sinfulness of war and the treatment of enemies.

 

In entering upon the great work before us, we are not unmindful that, in its prosecution, we may be called to test our

sincerity, even as in a fiery ordeal. It may subject us to insult, outrage, suffering, yea, even death itself. We anticipate

no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation, calumny. Tumults may arise against us. The ongodly and violent,

the pround and pharisaical, the ambitious and tyrannical, principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places,

may combine to crush us. So they treated the Messiah, whose example we are humbly striving to imitate. If we suffer with

him, we know that we shall reign with him. We shall not be so afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. Our confidence

is in the Lord Almighty, not in man. Having withdrawn from human protection, what can sustain us but that faith which

overcomes the world? We shall not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us, as though some strange thing

had happened unto us; but rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings. Wherefore, we commit the keeping

of our souls to God, in well-doing, as unto the faithful Creator. For every one that forsakes houses, or brethren, or sisters,

or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for Christ’s sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

Firmly relying upon the certain and universal triumph of the sentiments contained in this DECLARATION, however formidable

may be the opposition arrayed against them—in solemn testimony of our faith in their divine origin—we hereby affix our

signatures to it; commending it to the reason and conscience of mankind, giving ourselves no anxiety as to what may befall us,

and resolving in the strength of the Lord God calmly and meekly to abide the issue.

Edited April 4, 2010 by troon

i believe the ways in which things are currently organized (if you can call it that) are not working

and that this is a very inspiring alternative. it is a shame that many people are so far

removed from these types of concepts that they think it absurd.

 

this type of action is the only way to overcome the powers that hold sway over all our

lives. these types of ideas are actually very threatening to them! it is common for worldly

powers (including the false church) to do everything they can do, to trick us into

perpetuating the opposite of the ideas stated in the above document.

 

remember, the church that we hear about in the news and all around the world is much different

then the true spiritual powers that support and have pledged their allegiance to these kinds of eternal laws.

 

we must awaken ourselves and in turn awaken all that is around us.

Edited April 4, 2010 by troon

oh yes. that's cleared things right up.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk9z1Emv0kQ

jesus sucks. jew is the right religion lol

Edited April 4, 2010 by ezkerraldean

  On 4/4/2010 at 5:58 PM, ezkerraldean said:

jesus sucks jews is the right religion lol

 

keep your homoerotic fantasies to yourself on this day of worship.

  On 4/4/2010 at 6:00 PM, chenGOD said:

  On 4/4/2010 at 5:58 PM, ezkerraldean said:

jesus sucks jews is the right religion lol

 

keep your homoerotic fantasies to yourself on this day of worship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxxuSiC4wNw

 

innit

that version's actually better than the album one, i'm literally going to record that right now

 

 

[/white reggae fan]

why don't you just download the file and rip the audio out?

  On 4/4/2010 at 6:08 PM, chenGOD said:

why don't you just download the file and rip the audio out?

why not listen to it at the same time, after all i do actually like the song lol

Oh i just meant it eliminates a conversion step in the process of getting it onto your computer..

all joking aside, is there really anything stated in this that is wrong or unjust?

 

i think it may be one of the most inspiring pieces of writing i have ever read.

 

who in their right mind does not want peace?

can we truly expect to achieve peace with violence?

 

i see no error in this document and i have signed it.

Edited April 4, 2010 by troon

  On 4/4/2010 at 10:32 PM, troon said:

who in their right mind does not want peace?

groups of people who have suffered great injustice, groups of people for who "peace" entails subjugation to another group of people, surely

 

 

plus tribal retard people who just enjoy fighting (like the taliban, lord's resistance army etc)

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can we truly expect to achieve peace with violence?

well it's certainly not preferable but it's probably the quickest way

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all joking aside, is there really anything stated in this that is wrong or unjust?

 

i think it may be one of the most inspiring pieces of writing i have ever read.

well all the christian shit pisses me off a bit and is unnecessary, but the extreme anti-nationalist sentiments are certainly jam for my scones. in my mind, group pride of any form is primitive and often dangerous (and that would include christian group pride, ya see)

So we are to be guided by the spirit of christ.

What is the spirit of christ, and who says so?

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I'd like to say people can change anything they want to; and that means everything in the world.

People are running about following their little tracks. I am one of them. But we've all gotta stop...

just stop following our own little mouse trail. People can do anything; this is something that I'm beginning to learn.

People are out there doing bad things to each other; it's because they've been dehumanized.

It's time to take that humanity back into the centre of the ring and follow that for a time.

Greed... it ain't going anywhere! They should have that on a big billboard across Times Square. Think on that.

Without people you're nothing.

 

Joe Strummer