“’Though I have been trained as a soldier, and have participated in many battles, there never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not have been found of preventing the drawing of the sword.  I look forward to an epoch when a court, recognized by all nations, will settle international differences, instead of keeping large standing armies, as they do in Europe.’  Shall we not allow the words of General Grant to go forth as the message of America?

“Some weeks ago the Czar of Russia said:  ’The maintenance of general peace and possible reduction of the excessive armaments which weigh upon all nations present themselves in the existing condition of the whole world as an ideal towards which the endeavors of all governments should be directed,’ and in accordance with those views he invited all nations to send representatives to an international peace congress, in which the question of reducing the armaments of the several countries of the world and otherwise preparing some plan for the prevention of wars might be discussed.

“Shall not America send to St. Petersburg a message of good will, a promise of earnest co-operation?  America, great and powerful, can afford to speak of peace.  Words of peace from her will be the more gracious and timely, as they who do not know her say that, maddened by her recent triumphs, she is now committed beyond return to a policy of militarism and of conquest.

“Lead, my country, in peace—­in peace for thyself, in peace for the world.  When war is necessary, lead, we pray thee, in war; but when peace is possible, lead, we pray thee yet more, lead in peace; lead in all that makes for peace, that prepares the world for peace.

“America, the eyes of the world are upon thee.  Thou livest for the world.  The new era is shedding its light upon thee, and through thee upon the whole world.  Thy greatness and thy power daze me; even more, thy responsibilities to God and to humanity daze me—­I would say affright me.  America, thou failing, democracy and liberty fail throughout the world.

“And now know, in the day of thy triumphs and victories, what guards democracy and liberty, what is thy true grandeur.  Not in commerce and industry, not in ships and in armies, are the safety and the grandeur of nations, and, more especially, of republics.  Intelligence and virtue build up nations and save them; without intelligence and virtue, material wealth and victorious armies bring corruption to nations and precipitate the ruin of liberty.

“And now, America, the country of our pride, our love, our hope, we remit thee for to-day and for to-morrow into the hands of the Almighty God, under whose protecting hand thou canst not fail, whose commandments are the supreme rules of truth and righteousness.”

The Archbishop was followed by Judge Speer, of Georgia: