Peace Prayer:
Run the Race of Peace 

By:  Thomas
Jefferson

Peace is our passion.  I have ever cherished the same
spirit with all nations, from a consciousness that peace, prosperity, liberty,
and morals, have an intimate connection.  From the moment which sealed our
peace and independence, our nation has wisely pursued the paths of peace and
justice.  Peace and justice should be the polar stars of the American
societies.

The happiness of mankind is best promised by the useful
pursuits of peace.  Our desire is to pursue ourselves the path of peace as
the only one leading surely to prosperity.  Go on in doing with your pen
what in other times was done with the sword; show that reformation is more
practicable by operation on the mind than on the body of man.  Peace and
friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy. 

I believe that through all America there has been but a
single sentiment on the subject of peace and war, which was in favor of the
former.  I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind. 
I love peace, and am anxious that we should give the world still another useful
lesson, by showing them other modes of punishing than by war, which is as much a
punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.  If nations go to war for
every degree of injury, there would never be peace on earth.  We think that
peaceable means may be derived of keeping nations in the path of justice towards
us, by making justice their interest, and injuries to reach on themselves. 
We have, therefore, remained in peace, suffering frequent injuries, but, on the
whole, multiplying, improving, prospering beyond all example.   Peace
has been our principle, peace is our interest, and peace has saved to the world
this only plant of free and rational government now existing in it.  My
hope is in peace. 

Thanks be to God that Napoleon, the tiger who reveled so
long in the blood and spoils of Europe is at length, like another Prometheus,
chained to his rock, where the vulture of remorse for his crimes will be preying
on his vitals and in like manner without consuming them.  Having been, like
him, entrusted with the happiness of my country, I feel the blessing of
resembling him in no other point.  I have not caused the death of five or
ten millions of human beings, the devastation of other countries, the
depopulation of my own, the exhaustion of all its resources, the destruction of
its liberties, nor its foreign subjugation.  All this he has done to render
more illustrious the atrocities perpetrated for illustrating himself and his
family with plundered diadems and scepters.  On the contrary, I have the
consolation to reflect that during the period of my administration not a drop of
blood of a single fellow citizen was shed by the sword of war or of the law, and
that after cherishing for eight years their peace and prosperity I laid down
their trust of my own accord and in the midst of their blessings and
importunities to continue in it. 

It will be a true testimony of my principles and
persuasion that the state of peace is that which most improves the manners and
morals, the prosperity and happiness of mankind; and although I dare not promise
myself that it can be perpetually maintained, yet if, by the inculcations of
reason or religion, the perversities of our nature can be so far corrected as
sometimes to prevent the necessity, either supposed or real, of an appeal to the
blinder scourges of war, murder and devastation, the benevolent endeavors of the
friends of peace will not be entirely without remuneration.  I hope we
shall prove how much happier for man the Quaker policy is, and that the life of
the feeder, is better that that of the fighter. 

I wish that all nations may recover and retain their
independence; that those which are overgrown may not advance beyond safe
measures of power, that a salutary balance may be ever maintained among nations,
and that our peace, commerce, and friendship, may be sought and cultivated by
all.  My hope of preserving peace for our country is not founded in the
greater principles of non-resistance under every wrong, but in the belief that a
just and friendly conduct on our part will produce justice and friendship from
others. 

We, I hope, shall be permitted to run the race of
peace.  To preserve and secure peace has been the constant aim of my
administration.  Twenty years of peace, and the prosperity so visibly
flowing from it, have but strengthened our attachment to it, and the blessings
it brings, and we do not despair of being always a peaceable nation.  I
pray for peace, as best for all the world, best for us, and best for me, who
have already lived to see three wars.  That peace, safety, and concord may
be long enjoyed by our fellow-citizens is the most ardent wish of my heart, and
if I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I shall think I have
not lived in vain. 

Heaven bless you, and guard you under all circumstances;
give you smooth waters, gentle breezes, and clear skies, hushing all its
elements into peace.  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace.