The history of the Peace Movement, recounted in the Address on
the War System of the Commonwealth of Nations, terminates at the
date of that Address, anterior to the Congress at Paris, called
the Second General Peace Congress, on the 22d, 23d, and 24th of
August, 1849. This Congress is briefly characterized in the Address
below. There is a report of its proceedings, where may be read the
able speeches and letters by which the cause was vindicated. It
was arranged in Europe that the next year should witness a similar
Congress, and Frankfort-on-the-Main was selected for the place of
meeting, both from its central situation and the sympathy felt in
the movement by leading minds of Germany.
In the United States a Committee was appointed, with Mr. Sumner as
Chairman, to obtain a proper representation. The following Address
was put forth by the Committee. But the question ceased to be
pressed in Europe, under the influence of the prevailing reaction,
while in our country it was overshadowed by Slavery, to which the
general attention was now directed. It was often remarked, "One
evil at a time"; and thus the Peace Cause was postponed.