As a statesman and magistrate, he loved peace, because war was not merely injurious to national prosperity, but because, whether successful or adverse, it was subversive of liberty.
Democracies are prone to war, and war consumes them.

He favored, therefore, all the philanthropic efforts of the age to cultivate the spirit of peace, and looked forward with benevolent hope to the ultimate institution of a General Congress of nations for the adjustment of their controversies.

But he was no visionary and no enthusiast.

He knew that as yet war was often inevitable--that pusillanimity provoked it, and that national honor was national property of the highest value; because it was the best national defence.

He admitted only defensive war--but he did not narrowly define it.