In 1903-04 Toumanian was already a highly respected writer; he had many friends in almost every political party and faction. In that period, the attention of tsarist government security department agents was generally focused on their activity. It was a reason to continue the political persecution of the writer.
In February, 1905 when the Armenian-Tatar clashes begun, the poet undertook the task of saving the Armenian people, with all his energy and devotion. At the decision of the intellectuals, mass demonstrations took place, the purpose of which was not only to stop the bloodshed and reconcile the neighboring peoples, but also to emphasize their clear position against the tsarist government as the organizer of pogroms. Toumanian also actively participated in those preparations. Soon, the poet's name appears in the list of 61 revolutionaries under the control of agents of the Tiflis Gendarmerie Department.
From November 1905, ethnic conflicts started once again in Tiflis. The Turks of Borchalu attacks the Armenian’s of Tiflis. At the same time, labor strikes are also started. Toumanian came with his family to his native village Dsegh and tried to organize Lori's self-defense. However, in the eyes of the tsarist gendarmerie, the peasant who took up a weapon to save his life or the poet who carried the flag of peace and led them were considered "revolutionary terrorists" and self-defense was "terror" against the Turks.
In one of his letters of this period the poet mentioned "…we lived centuries in those two months, the centuries of Genghis Khan and Lenk Temour. We saw their iniquities in the 20th century and asked for help... thick, barbaric darkness and pert machinations, and we, as a heavy divine punishment, have to bear, kiss and call brother. Our bloody past, our painful present and our hopeless future lie like heavy stones on my heart. I'm sorry for us". To A. Zargaryan.
During the ethnic clashes Toumanian fearlessly passed through the enemy's dwelling places (binas), waving the white flag of peace. "He was a brave highlander, discreet and cautious. He was against bloodshed of all kinds, as a man. The neighborly feeling of the Lori man towards the Turks was awakened and spoken in him… he was absolutely convinced that it was possible to find a common language with the Turkish people, and he found that language, in a special Toumanian "style"…" (D. Demirchyan).
At that time, the poet wrote and distributed his famous "Call of Lori men". "We Lori men do not attack and do not fight with our neighboring Turks, on any side, as if we are stronger – it is injustice, if we are weaker – it is stupidity.
We keep peace and reconciliation – for this we raise a white flag and call on our neighboring Turks to keep peace together with us. And we swear to always keep our white flag clean and high.
And if they do not listen to us and attack our villages, we will try to prevent it with state power, and if that becomes impossible, we ourselves will go out against them mercilessly, but still we will not attack their villages again".
Turks treated the poet with great respect and believed in his calls. For them, Toumanian was "a conciliatory angel sent from heaven, a great peacemaker".
The poet's efforts yield the desired result. In many villages and settlements, bloodshed was prevented, conflicts were stopped, and the desired peace is concluded. "… And today I am not so much satisfied that I have done anything in literature, as I am satisfied that I was able to sheathe the swords of the opposing nations and free many, many innocents from this brutal massacre" – this is how Toumanian assesses his work.
Despite the difficult political and social situation, the writer creates and finds time to participate in cultural life. In spring of 1905 he attended the concert of
In the spring of 1905, he attends the concert of a choir composed of Komitas' students from the Gevorgian Seminary in Etchmiadzin. Particularly, "Antuni" performed by Komitas leaves a shocking impression. Toumanian hugs Komitas and says excitedly "It was incomparable, wonderful: now I feel that our Armenian people and their song will live for centuries and will not be lost. You did an unseen, unheard, great job"
From 1905, editor-publishers Stepan and Katarine Lisitsyan started publishing the "Hasker" illustrated children's magazine in Tiflis, where Toumanian's works were regularly published. Some of the writer's works were included there in different years ("The Fox", "The partridge’s praise", "Morning", "Field Working Song", etc.).
St. Lisitsyan, Hovh. Toumanyan, L. Shant and Vrt. Akhikyan - the editorial staff begins the work of creating "Lusaber" textbook as they were concerned about the need to have a new textbook, particularly for elementary school. In 1907 the publication of the textbook begins. Many of Toumanian’s works published in "Lusaber" ("The end of the fall", "The Blind Troubadour", "The cloud and the mountain", "In the morning", "Green Brother", etc.).
Toumanian's peace-loving personal activity and his great success in that regard did not escape the eyes of the tsarist government, which was followed by the reaction of the "higher authorities". The poet, along with a number of intellectuals, is unjustly accused of "nationalism" and in December, 1908, he ends up in Metekhi prison.