Charles Francis Adams, whose grandfather was one of our early Presidents
and whose father was a Minister to London before the Civil War, felt
with overwhelming reality the inspiration of the world vision.
Mr. Adams, a man of sound judgment and of importance and distinction, a
month before his recent death, in writing about the European War, made
the following sage remarks:
"We suddenly find ourselves thrown back an entire century. Again we are
confronted by 'paper and blockades' on an almost unprecedented scale,
and by 'Milan' and 'Berlin' decrees, with 'orders in council, in reserve
and in response thereto.
"Such a situation has got to work itself out; and, in my belief, can do
so only through the complete exhaustion of those more immediately
engaged. When that condition of exhaustion is fully developed the
neutral powers, if in the interim they have held themselves in reserve,
will be in a position effectively to intervene. The whole sea usage of
nations, commonly known as 'international law,' will then have to
undergo a process of fundamental revision. The basic principles only
will be left; and a new system, which will include in my belief a world
federation, an organized judicial tribunal and an international police
must be evolved.
"This is a large contract; and yet the task is one to which both
legislators and publicists cannot, I think, too soon or too seriously
address themselves. A great educational process is involved, and cannot
be prematurely entered upon; but the time and mode of action and
concrete outcome are as yet hardly foreshadowed. Under the condition,
therefore, which I have thus sought to outline, it seems to me that the
present is a time when those who think and feel as I do should possess
their souls with patience."
These are strong words. And although the time has not yet come when the
definite line of action can even be foreshadowed, the people must get
his inspiration. He believes that there will be a revision of
international law and as has been said that there will be a world
federation, a united states of the world to give expression of its
rulings through an international court, with its decrees enforced by an
international police force. It is going to take the sagacity of strong
men to bring this stupendous achievement to pass. But because thoughtful
people are beginning to think in this direction, this magnificent ideal
is not an impossibility. It is to be prayed for, expected and worked
for. And in every land the vision should now be given to the people.