THE PEACE SOCIETY AND THE TURKISH QUESTION

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 792, 16 November 1853, Page 3

THE PEACE SOCIETY AND THE TURKISH QUESTION

[From the “Times.”] What are our doves about 1 Now that the sky’ is overcast we would turn with satisfaction to these blessed harbingers of ptaci and goodwill. Mail after mail comes in with threatening tidings from all quarters of the compass. The nations are arming, the diplomatists are exchanging notes, the phrases of casus belli and ultimatum are bandied about as freely in men’s mouths as though Napoleon B maparte were amongst us once more —a young man, with his way to make in the world. Well, then, in the midst of this warlike din—amid this clatter of hoofs—this glistening of bayonets—this polishing of thirty-two-pound shot—this serving out of ball catridge—this tattoo of drums—(his call of clarions—what ha* become of the Peace Society’? Where, we ask again, are our doves? Let us, in the name of all tluit is amiable mid zephyr-like and slip-sloppy, be indulged with one poor coo—just to put us in mind that there are such things as doves and committees ot the Peace Society in the world. Of what avail is it that a respectable knot of Quaker gentleman should meet upon the ground at the close of some fiercely’ contested day’—while the plain around them is strewed with the corpses of the dead or the tortured frames of the dying—vote one of their number into the chair, pass a series of resolutions in condemnation of war in the abstract, and especially of that particular battle, conclude with thanks to the chairman, and so finally’depart to their respective homes? Why not protest before the battle—if, indeed, protestations are of any avail—why not make their weight to he felt—if, indeed, weight be in them —ere the mischief is done? We have not precisely’ seen in our own days Peace Conventions on the plains of Lombardy or Hungary’ after war had done its worst; hut we have seen that which was infinitely’ more ridiculous—assemblages of gaily dressed ladies and gentlemen for the purpose of passing resolutions in condemnation of war and ambition, and what not, as though they’ had been the first to discover that such things were evils, and to visit them with unqualified diiapprobation. Nothing more simple than to meet in a pleasant town, such as Frankfort, during brilliant weather, in the midst of fancy’ bazaars and concerts, good dinners and evening promenades, and to pour forth most eloquent periods against war in the abstract. Surely’, a man in the possession of so many’ good things must feel hugely’ indignant against any one who would disturb the even tenor of his fat and easy’ life. So with the sympathising audience of tender wives and sisters. What must be the feelings of Mrs. R. when she conjures up before her mind’s eye the image of her dear and unctuous Ramsbottom, who sits there upon the platform before her, pursued by the horrid Cossack from the depths of the Ukraine, and Eoked with a rusty* lance whenever he relaxes is flight? It is most dreadful to think that such an occurrence should ever take place in. Downing-street, or, instead, anywhere in the neigh’ ou hj >od of Mecklenburg-square. Mrs. R. warns h< r damp kerchief at the glowing expressions of Mr. Cobden, or Elihn Burritt, or the coloured gentleman who had made good his flight from Nutmegopolis, South Carolina, across the Uiiion, and so into the Canadas, in the shape of a French governess. It is too much to say that the orators are flattered in their turn, and, under the influence of damp kerchiefs, and sobbing ladies, feel themselves mspiritted to greater and even more useful exertions?

But to return to our absolute point. Although* we very firmly believe and trust that the rulers of the earth will look twice at consequences ere they give Europe up to a convulsion* the end of which no man would venture to predict, why are we laymen—we rough and unspiritualized creatures of the everyday, world, left to our own unassisted exertions? What can the Peace Society be about? Why, considering the real emergency of the case, do they not hold an extraording meeting and act according to the necessities of the case? It is really ot no avail to declare war against us and others of their countrymen who sometimes take the liberty of doubting the value of their exertions. Perhaps they are right and we are wrong. We heartily agree now—as we have agreed all along— the Peace Society, as to the end to he obtained. We love peace—we loathe w r ar. We are prepared to curse all assemblages of martial men, from the field-martial down to the drummer-boy, according to any formula the society may dictate; hut let us have peace. There may be something in Pie society’s method, after all, more than ordinary mortals can appreciate. We live in an age in which great tables, which used to behave themselves and support our dinners, become lively under the influence of the human touch. The hat upon one’s head, which used to be a quiet and orderly hat enough, waltzes round like a ballet dancer if the slightest finger of the slightest lady be laid never so lightly upon its rim. It might be that, by analogy, Mr. Eliha Burritt might do something with the Czar. At least, the thing would be worth the trial, and, according to our views of life, it would be a foul disgrace to this association of the professed friends of peace if they make no sign now that the peace of Europe is seriously threatened. What should we think of a body of firemen who should meet perpetually at midday with their engines on Blackfriar’s-bridge, cast the leathern hose into the river on one side, and pump a great mass of water into the river on the other side ot the same bridge ? Simple men would say that it might have answered the puipose as weft if the water had been allowed to flow quietly through the arches. But lo! now rafters are blazing—the sparks are shooting up in fiery columns to heaven—the flames haVe huist forth from the upper windows—and not a fireman is to be seen, not an engine, not a badge. The bystanders are left to do their best. It is impossible for us to say whether or no the Peace Society will listen to our well intended remonstrance, and try their skill upon the chief personages in the present dispute; but we trust for once they will abandon their usual policy of saying to the man whose throat is about tp be cut, “Lie still! Don’t resist! Don’t make a show of resistance! Let him cut your throat, we don’t care a fig for that; but if the gentleman in the crape mask should persist in his intention, we will tell him he is a very unprincipled fellow, and refuse for the future to occupy the same pew at church with him.” For once, only for this once, let the Peace Society direct their efforts on the right point. We desire peace—is it necessary to repeat the phrase ?—as earnestly and sincerely as themselves; but, frankly, we have nothing better to rely upon than the old machinery. Why should not a few Quaker gentlemen set off at once to St. Petersburg? The banks of the Pruth should instantly be occupied, and the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. Perhaps something might be done with the frantic hordes of Asiatic Turkey; perhaps Prince Menschikoff might be brought to a sense of his situation. But, above all, the Enperor Nicholas should be the object of their most earnest solicitude. If his heart can be touched, ail will go well. We would have the best men of the society despatched upon this portion of the mission at once. Or stay; a thought strikes us, —why should not, on the instant, a steamer full of Peace Propagandists dart off to St. Petersburg, and, when arrived at the scat of the empire, boldly throw off all disguise and hold a peace meeting on the hanks of the Neva? We know not that we should augur a very successful result from their exertions, but, at least, they would act with consistency, and prove to their fellow-creatures that they believe in their own principles—a point which at the present moment does not appear to be so clearly made out.