“And will it be said that all this is visionary and impossible?  The plan we propose rests on no supposed reformation in the passions and propensities of mankind; but upon obvious principles of national interest, deduced from reason and experience, and susceptible of the plainest demonstration.  It is a plan adapted to the existing state of civilized society, and accommodated to the passions and prejudices by which that society is influenced.  It is indeed perfectly consistent with the precepts of Christianity, but it is also in accordance with the selfish dictates of worldly policy.

“To this plan we can imagine only one plausible objection, which is, that the treaties would not be observed.  It is readily admitted that if the only guaranty for the faithful observance of these treaties consisted in the virtue and integrity of those who signed them, the confidence to be reposed in them would be faint indeed.  Happily, however, we have a far stronger guaranty in national interest and in public opinion. * * *

“Dismissing then all idle fears that these treaties, honestly contracted and obviously conducive to the highest interests of the parties, would not be observed, let us contemplate the rich and splendid blessings they would confer on our country.  Protected from hostile violence and invasion by a moral defence, more powerful than armies and navies, we might indeed beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks.  The millions now expended in our military establishments could be applied to objects directly ministering to human convenience and happiness.  Our whole militia system, with its long train of vices and its vexatious interruptions of labor, would be swept away.  The arts of peace would alone be cultivated, and would yield comforts and enjoyments in a profusion and perfection of which mankind have witnessed no example.  In the expressive language of Scripture, our citizens would each ’sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with none to make him afraid,’ and our peaceful and happy republic would be the praise and glory of all lands. * * * * *

“It is impossible that a scene so bright and lovely should not attract the admiration and attention of the world.  The extension of education in Europe, and the growing freedom of her institutions, are leading her population to think, and to express their thoughts.  The governments of the eastern continent, whatever may be their form, are daily becoming more and more sensitive to public opinion.  The people already restive under their burdens, would soon discover that those burdens would be greatly diminished by the adoption of the American policy.  Before long, some state would commence the experiment on a small scale, and its example would be followed by others.  In time these conventions would give way to more extended pacific alliances, and a greater number