Memoirs of Bertha von Suttner: The Records of an Eventful Life (Vol. 2 of 2)Suttner, Bertha von
History
Memoirs of Bertha von Suttner: The Records of an Eventful Life (Vol. 2 of 2)
Suttner, Bertha von
Peace; Suttner, Bertha von, 1843-1914; Women -- Austria -- Biography
My dear Baroness,
Most honored President:
To-morrow our delegations break up, and it has not been my good
fortune, during our several weeks’ _séjour_ here in Vienna, to see
you. Twice I have made the attempt—alas! in vain. You were out of
town—still in the country! So I will at least send you in writing my
hearty respects and greeting. You must have read with delight
Berzeviczy’s utterances in our delegation, and have rejoiced,
likewise, at the reply made thereto by our skillful and masterly
(_takt- und sattelfest_) Minister of Foreign Affairs. Great ideas are
realized only slowly, but a healthy seed always brings healthy fruit,
even if, as often happens, it takes a long time; so it is with the
idea for which you, dear Baroness, and all of us are fighting. _Gutta
cavat lapidem!_ Over and over, and ever unweariedly, we must renew the
battle, and at length it will, it must, win the day; for our aim is
humanitarian,—the welfare of mankind.
And an idea that has this for its only object is not to become
effectual? Impossible! That is the answer that hovers on my tongue,
and “impossible” will at length be the shout of all reasonable human
beings! And we shall be victorious! And the victory will then really
be—universal peace! And even if the present does not recognize it,
posterity will remember with gratitude those who turned the first sod.
I understand that in a few days—I believe about the middle of
December—you are to hold your annual meeting in Vienna. Permit me,
dear Baroness, to send my sincerest respects, and to beg of you to
communicate to our peace friends my warmest greetings and good wishes.
May your work be blessed!
I hope, dear Baroness, that you may for a long time to come have the
most abundant health and strength to share in bringing your work to
completion. And for my own self I desire that you continue to grant me
your favor and good will, which I so highly prize.
May the Angel of Peace be with you and your work!
Your most faithful fellow-worker and admirer
Eugen Zichy
This year the meetings of the peace workers were not held, as
hitherto, in the same place, but in different towns. The Congress met
from the twelfth to the sixteenth of August at Hamburg, and the
interparliamentarians had their sessions a few days earlier in
Brussels.
We took part in the Hamburg gathering. Again we met all our old
friends,—Passy, Türr, Bajer, Émile Arnaud, Dr. Richter, Moneta, Hodgson
Pratt, Ducommun, and others. We had anticipated that the chairmanship of
the Hamburg Congress would be taken by the writer of exquisite verses,
Prince Schönaich-Carolath, but he declined to take it, though he was
suggested for the office. What his reasons were may be seen from the
following letter:
Haseldorf, July 19, 1897
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account