The Institute of International Law, we see,
Became the Prize’s sixth recipient.
Founded in Belgium in 1873,
Its motto, “Justice and Peace,” was succinct.
Gustave Rolin-Jacquemyns had shared his view
That sovereign states be ruled by rule of law and, too,
Not war or violence. But, bolstered by free trade
And cooperative ventures, Peace’s path be laid.
Not many had heard of it before – that is,
“International law,” as codified it would become:
Through efforts of members to analogize,
The “customs of war” and arbitration into one.
Harmonizing the laws of ‘war’ and ‘peace,’ still done,
Meets goals of law and of transparency, hard-won.
June Edvenson 