True civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost
heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and
high-minded sovereigns—the shining exemplars of devotion and
determination—shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind, arise, with
firm resolve and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace. They
must make the Cause of Peace the object of general consultation, and seek by
every means in their power to establish a Union of the nations of the world.
They must conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant, the provisions of
which shall be sound, inviolable and definite. They must proclaim it to all the
world and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race. This supreme and
noble undertaking—the real source of the peace and well-being of all the
world—should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth. All the forces
of humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability and permanence of this
Most Great Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the limits and frontiers of
each and every nation should be clearly fixed, the principles
underlying the relations of governments towards one another definitely laid
down, and all international agreements and obligations ascertained. In like
manner, the size of the armaments of every government should be strictly
limited, for if the preparations for war and the military forces of any nation
should be allowed to increase, they will arouse the suspicion of others. The
fundamental principle underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if
any government later violate any one of its provisions, all the governments on
earth should arise to reduce it to utter submission, nay the human race as a
whole should resolve, with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government.
Should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world,
it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and
secure.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
