Elihu Burritt’s Speech to the Peace Congress, in Report of the Proceedings of the Fourth Peace Congress, Held at Exeter Hall, London, on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th July, 1851 (1851)

Time and Providence, in all the vicissitudes and events with which they work, mark the experience of individuals, or measure the progress of nations, bring but one now to man, or to any human enterprise. The artizans of one country were taught to regard their brethren of the spindle, hammer, and spade, of another, as mutual enemies in the battle of life and labour. During the last months of 1850, thousands, and tens of thousands of the well-skilled artizans of Prussia, Austria, and other German States, had laid down the peaceful implements of their handicraft, and were disciplining their hands to the bloody trade and weapons of war. Every great event or undertaking that has blessed the world with its beneficence has had its own particular now.