Praise be to God: The United States has in reality made
extraordinary progress; day by day they are advancing toward the ultimate goal!
The material virtues of the people are many; now they must think of the ideal
virtues, so that the highest of the perfections of humanity may illumine the
regions of America.
Among the highest virtues is universal peace, the oneness of
humanity. The chief ailment of humanity today is international strife; this
militates against the advancement of the material and ideal virtues.
The continent of America is isolated so far as other
countries are concerned; the government is not thinking of making conquests, of
enlarging the circle of colonization. They are not thinking to contend with
other nations so far as financial, commercial and political supremacy is
concerned. They are not the rival of any other nation. Their utmost desire is
this: That the continent of America be protected.
They are engaged in the amelioration of internal conditions;
they are not engaged in warfare with any nation. Therefore, they have the time
and ability to raise the standard of universal peace and spread the doctrine of
the oneness of God. May their influence spread and permeate to all parts of the
world.
Other peoples of the world have to contend with
international difficulties. First, the nations are rivals with each other so
far as commercial advantages are concerned. Second, they are thinking of the
nation self-aggrandizement. Third, they are thinking of planting new colonies.
Therefore, it is difficult for them to step into this field, to uphold
international peace, because they are contending, warlike, victory-loving
people. They cannot be instrumental in promulgating international peace.
But, praise be to God, the American Government is no warlike
government; the American democracy is not founded upon warlike doctrines. Hence
it becomes this democracy to uphold international peace and spread it
throughout the world. Through the promulgation of this doctrine will be
distributed the greatest blessings.
It will eliminate the darkness of prejudice, the darkness of
war, the darkness of rancor and hatred, the darkness of racial prejudice, the
darkness of political prejudice. May this darkness be blotted out and the light
become wide spread, universal. May the oneness of humanity become primordial,
supreme.
His holiness Baha’u’llah, fifty years ago spread broadcast
His great Movement, proclaimed the benefits of international peace. This took
place at a time when the thought was not in the minds of men, nor the words
upon the tongues of the people. At the time He summoned people from all parts
of the Orient. He addressed letters to the sovereigns of Europe, setting forth
the results to accrue from the establishment of universal peace. He invited all
to participate in a worlds arbitral court of justice, to be composed of
representatives of every government in the world, the delegates thereto to be
chosen and ratified by the governments. Thereto would be referred disputes
between nations for settlement. In case any government or nation should prove
rebellions concerning any decision of the court, the other nations should
coalesce to force it into obedience.
My fervent hope and fond desire concerning the American
people is that through their instrumentality the scope of this project will be
enlarged and that earnest concerted action between the nations of the world
will result therefrom.
This great Cause, which alone insures the happiness of the
world, must receive support throughout the world.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 11, September
27, 1914)
